My mini vacation to lemon Bay.....

A few weeks ago, I took a mini vacation to one of my favorite places, Manasota Key, which is located near Englewood Florida. I got to do a little kayaking on Lemon Bay and took a few photos. This is a beautiful area, however there has been an outbreak of red tide in the last few months. It has had a major impact with large numbers of fish and waterfowl killed. The area is now slowly recovering and trying to get back to normal. I placed a red circle on this map around the area that I visited.

We stayed at my mother and father-in-law's place, an over 55 retirement community called "Gulf to Bay". It's a pretty cool place. The island is about 800 feet wide at this point and you can walk from the bay to the ocean in about 3-5 minutes. I've visited here for the last 30 years and it doesn't change much.  This photo is looking directly east into Lemon Bay. 

Look how calm the water is while my daughter and her boyfriend paddled a two person kayak in the bay.

My wife and I, paddled over to one of the nearby islands. It was a very enjoyable trip, especially thinking that the temperature back in Nashville, my home was in the thirties. 

I love looking mangroves. The mangrove roots extend directly into the salt water. All kinds of young sea life live in the mangrove swamp. I've seen oysters, sponges, shrimp, and small fish. Sometimes when you quietly paddle next to the mangroves, you can see some amazing sea creatures, but this time I didn't see any. 

The waters here are full of fish. I've caught all kinds of fish over the last thirty years. This year was different, the red tide made catching fish very hard.

Looking out in the bay, I can still smell a slight scent of the red tide, it burns my nose. You must admit, this is a beautiful sunset.  One thing for sure, the red tide hasn't ruined the view.

Do you need a great gift for the lake house, lake lover, or fisherman? If you do, check-out my treasured decor maps ay LeoLakes.com. 

I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com.

Leo knows waterways

You may or may not remember the old children's book, "Dick and Jane". Well, I do. I've used the same kind of retro-style for this cartoon. I titled it, " know your waterways". I remember trying to read the Dick and Jane books when I was in the first grade. I was one of those kids that liked the pictures better than the words because I'm a little bit dyslexic, which isn't bad due to the fact that I ended up with a lot of artistic and creative talent. Anyway, did any of my ten permanent follows notice something different about this post? No bobber cartoons!!! That's right, I'm taking a break from bobber cartoons for a while. I think it will be clear what I'm doing with this cartoon when you read it. Know your waterways........Enjoy!   

Now, you know your waterways...........Do you need a great gift for the lake house, lake lover, or fisherman? If you do, check-out my treasured decor maps ay LeoLakes.com. 

I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com.

St Augustine

My wife and I visited St Augustine Fl. a few weeks ago. On one early morning, we got up and walked the beach. I took my camera because the early morning can provide for some great photos. As you look through these photos, wander around in them and see if there's a story? They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Yes, there is a story. I talked to this guy for a while and he's a veteran and fishes most mornings on the beach. I don't know the complete story, but I salute all veterans for their service to this country.


Here's a great Christmas Gift for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred vintage style lake maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my lake treasured maps by going to LeoMaps.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Tybee Island

Amazing! You will be really surprised by what followed us back to our beach chairs on Tybee Island. Well first, lets begin at the start. 

A few weeks ago, my wife and I spent a few days at Tybee Island South Carolina. Tybee Island is near Hilton Head and is a nice change because it's not as large and well known. However, the island is a great place to spend a few days, great food from mom and pop restaurants, and there are very few chain restaurants, which is a plus. The island has a nice beach that's a sure relaxation highlight. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do any fishing, but I did hear that the fishing is really good. 

I always like to go adventuring while on vacation to discover what needs to be discovered. We stumbled upon this boat dock which made a beautiful picture. 

Interesting, the beaches are very wide at low tide and almost completely disappear at high tide, much more than other beaches that I've been on.  

Shark Attack! 

Dang it, wife was eaten by a shark. I hate that!

We visited the lighthouse on the island, but for some reason they were filming a Viagra commercial. I'm not sure why they would be filming a Viagra commercial here?

I saw more critters on the beach than any other beach that I've been on. Critters such as crabs, stingrays, dolphins, jelly fish, etc...  In fact, while walking on the beach we met a new friend. His name is Herbie. No, he's not the white Volkswagen Beetle in the Disney movie. He's Herbie a Horseshoe Crab. 

Believe it or not Herbie followed us back to our beach hangout. Now, the wife wants to keep Herbie. I told her "okay we can keep him, but you have to take care of him". My wife is a teacher and her plan is to show him to her class. The only problem is how do we take him home?

Just to get this story straight and not get folks to excited, I must mention a few things. First, Herbie is only a shell and there's no living animal inside. Second, I don't believe a Viagra commercial was being filmed at the lighthouse. Third, I often try to be funny while blogging, hope you enjoyed. Lastly, checkout the vintage style maps that I paint. 

I do custom and personalized lake, river, island or bay decor maps. They make a great gift for the lake lover. If you would like to see if we have your body of water, go to LeoMaps.com. 
 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Vintage Style Maps

Not long ago, I came across this cool looking vintage style outboard motor lamp. I could not resist it, so I purchased it and placed it in my studio. The motor appears to be styled after the old 1960s Evinrude Outboard Motors. Along with the lamp, I added one of my vintage style maps of Old Hickory Lake with a small sail boat. I think it makes for a nice looking decor piece. 

Actually, I have two old outboard motors that my dad owned, one is a Wizard and the other is an Evinrude much like the motor above. I have been working on how to incorporate them into the studio. Hopefully in the future, I will have completed this project and have pictures. A beautiful vintage style lake or bay map will look great in your lake house or give as a gift, checkout my website at LeoLakes.com

Remember, life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!