Red Hot Chili Peppers

No, this post is not about the the band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (although they are awesome!). Nor is it about the edible kind of red hot chili peppers, though they can be quite good. The "red hot" refers to the temperature here in MS (today the heat index was 118 degrees!!!). Obviously this is not the ideal weather to go camping in, but we really wanted to get outside!

Chris with the canoe

In that spirit Abby, Ziggy, and my good friend Daniel Robbins made a weekend trip to Bay Springs Lake, MS. Although the main campground was swamped with RV's, older men perfecting the "jeans with no shirt look while smoking a cigarette" look, and Direct TV satellites, we were able to beat the crowds by utilizing a good old fashioned canoe!

Our beach hideaway

We paddled over to a small island with only tent camping sites on Saturday night, where we enjoyed our own private slice of beach! We had to stay in the water all day in order to avoid burning up (the water temperature itself was very warm). Still a good time was had by all.

Basil in our "front yard"

Now you may be wondering why the "chili peppers" in the title. Despite the fact that we have no chili peppers in our garden we do have jalapeno and bell peppers ("red hot jalapeno and bell peppers" didn't have the same ring to it!). Though the gardening has been full of ups (Swiss chard, peppers, basil) and downs (tomatoes, spinach), it has really been all about the experience. There is something special about growing your own food in the ground...puts a smile on your face :).

Our peppers!