I like being out in any kind of boat, but sailing has made me seasick. I love boogie boarding. I think surfing would be heaven, but it requires such skill and athleticism- I would never be able to do it!

I think mostly I love just being around water.

As long as I can see a large body of water, I'm happy.

I have a fish pond which I enjoy! DH built it and maintains it. We've decided the pond puts us on "waterfront" property, LOL!

I appreciate the beauty and tranquilty of bodies of water and water features, but for me, greenery, trees, plants, flowers, create the most inviting, relaxing atmosphere.

Around here though (Southeast VA), water is everything! It's central to so many people's lifestyles and adds tremendous value to property. If you live in a shack on so much as a creek, that kicks the price of your house up substantially.

My sister just bought a house with spectacular water views from each room on the front of her house. The house needs to be completely gutted from top to bottom, which she's currently having done, but she essentially paid for the water view when she bought this place! This is a dream come true for her, and it is where she'll live for the rest of her life.

The water DOES work magic in the hearts and souls of many.

Does washing the dogs count? I'm soaking wet right now.

If I get started on this topic I'll never stop! However, since a picture is worth a thousand words: Below is a sunset image from the place I go every year on vacation. Vacation from living in an oceanfront city. With a boat. And a husband who lives to boat, dive and swim. And a son who is starting a career as a national park ranger doing ocean patrol. And a daughter who volunteers for beachfront sea turtle nesting surveillance walks.

I can't help it! You said the W word Tina, I'm outta control...

Here are my husband and I in the Everglades last winter:

And my son, also in the Everglades on his airboat. He built this himself after I told him he absolutely could not buy an airboat(!)

Stinky - I love my flowers/trees, etc. too and could not do without. You would love some of the barrier islands we frequent - so lush with foliage (and wildlife).

Running - that airboat is cool!! And i love to canoe! There's a state park where we sometimes camp and I will confess to being addicted to their PADDLEBOATS! Ha!!

My hubby would be green with envy over the park ranger position. The university where I work has a forestry, wildlife and fisheries department which is what students who want to become rangers would go through. I've met a few of our rangers that way but for every open position, there are so many applicants. Congrats to your son for landing his position! He must be very excited.

tina

I grew up near the Yuba River. Spent time there in the winter and lived there every summer. The Yuba River is my church. Luckily the entire river near me is a state park now so it's there forever. People drive for hours to swim in it.

I love the small (no motor boats allowed), high country lakes but large bodies of water scare me. I like the ocean and love exploring ocean life but I'd never swim in it. Give me crystal clear water any pools any day. I like to be able to see into the bottom of water, even if it's 30' deep.

Spent time around water in other places but I decided I'm an a
elitist. There is so much snow pack this year, it will be mid July before The Yuba is low enough to swim safely this year. I have Tuesday dates with the river as soon as it's swimmable. I anticipate lots of drowning this year. People from out of town don't realize how dangerous the river can be when the snow is melting. (Class 5 river rafting.)

Runninginplace, that sunset is amazing! Question, what were you two doing in the canoe and why the gloves?

I love the water but I'd rather have lakes, streams, rivers instead of the ocean. We had a place at the beach for years and it was great until it became crowded. I've always like the mountain better anyway. We had a house in CO too and summer always included rafting.

We live on a small lake now and have a canoe. As long as it's not 100, I love to get out on the water. Swimming I'll pass on, but I will stick in my legs, fingers and toes.

Allison, we were backcountry canoeing in Everglades National park, back in I think November. The gloves are to avoid blisters and help with grip while paddling.

The sunset picture was taken at Captiva. Am getting ready to reserve for our July visit--I live for that week. It is like a magical bubble of peace and quiet during the hectic year. I start the day on the beach, relax during the heat of the afternoon, then end the day watching the sunset. Cannot wait!

My son is doing a double major in ecosystems science/criminology and will be going into the NPS as a law enforcement ranger. A perfect fit for a kid who was born into a water-loving family, had his first boat trip at 6 weeks and has been in, around and on the water for the entire 22 years since then :).

Running, is that a snake over your head? HAhaha, you couldn't pay me to go into the Everglades unless I was in a totally enclosed (air conditioned too) boat. Glass bottom would be fine.

But, basically, I like the water, like forhgtv. Preferably a deep lake, in high altitudes (but still Eastern) surrounded by mountains.

We had a very nice boat for several years, but ended up selling it. It just got to be boring, spending the day at the lake. That was years ago and I could go for some of that boring again now but dh is always busy with work.

I don't like public pools (you know why) or the ocean (jellyfish) but I do like hanging out in a beautiful lake on a raft with a good buddy.

Oh man, I am a total water baby. I learned to swim as a small child and luckily we had a swimming pool growing up, since I was in it as much as possible. We also lived in So. Cal, so I swam in the Pacific all the time. I LOVE swimming in the ocean more than anything.

Love all water, and luckily for me, my job brings me to rivers and streams all the time. I literally just got back from being on a river today! It's too raging and rocky to be in, but it was quite soul soothing standing on the banks and feeling the vibrations of the rapids and the roar of the water.

The ocean in Oregon is not meant to be swam in, so I miss that activity terribly, but we have a lot of rivers to swim in, and even a few lakes. If you like being near a lot of water, western Oregon is the place to be!

Welll, I swim (a mile at a time now) four times a week in our local pool, and if I don't get my swimming days in, I feel uncomfortable in my skin. I wish I could be near water more--pesky, I'm so jealous of you! I wish I could have a job like yours!! We're so water-deprived we even like the little wetlands lakes in the middle of our town. I thrill when I see a single great blue heron flying over the suburban roads.

SO cool that your son built that airboat, running (or should we call you 'rowinginplace?' :)). Everglades Vice? (I know it must exist...just seemed funny to me : ))

Getting ready to leave for Laguna Beach in less than two weeks! We normally stay in Newport Beach but wanted a change. I don't do much water activities but love to be around it and hear it.

Will let you know if I see any of the OC Housewives! (For the few of us that watch) Haven't in the past, but never know...

i love, love, love water!
my preference is the ocean-love bobbing and body surfing! when i was young, it was my absolute dream to be a shore lifeguard...but, since my family didn't have a house down the shore and didn't encourage me to go anyway, i never applied. then, i went to college quite far from the east coast and that dream went out the window!

i like the excitement of the power of the ocean and the soothing noise of the ocean and the smell of the ocean.
also, really have found i love white water rafting! (though it's alittle scary sometimes and i'm thinking i'm getting alittle too old for it...)
but, i do like any water...have done lots of swimming, canoeing and kayaking in my life. have a backyard pool which i love-except when i'm fighting algae or fishing out the dead!

hope to retire near some water, though have no idea where-my husb is not as much of an ocean lover...

I'm with you.

I just booked a sailboat trip around NYC on the Hudson for DH for his father's day present. He is currently restoring a sailboat with one of his buddies and the trip also offers some instruction for the newbie sailor. His friend who is helping him with the boat will also be getting the same present courtesy of his wife for father's day.

Last year I did a triathlon, I had to learn to swim for it. It was an ocean swim on a rough surf day, it was tough but sooo fun! I'm hooked, signed up for 2 more triathlons for this summer. One in the ocean, the other in the bay, can't wait!!

Love the ocean -- fav spots are Ogunquit, Maine or Cape Cod, Mass.

We do have a pool here -- but I'm waiting for the water to heat up a bit (and the courage to put on a swimsuit .... sigh)

I'm not close to water here in central OK., but after I graduated from H.S., my parents bought a house on the lake, built a pool, bought a large Pontoon boat. Gee, thanks mom and dad for doing it AFTER I moved! lol.

But I learned to water ski and made them take me out several times a day. One time I skiied (sp) to the restaurant on the Cove!

Fishing off their dock was so much fun. Catching Crappie and frying them up for dinner, YUM.

Now it's just the hose. :(

I love water too! I grew up on water.....though that was over 4000 miles from where I live now!

This is my view now.

Where is that sis? Beautiful views!!

My hubby is fishing tonight. We had our boat serviced and they called today that it is ready! Tomorrow we pick it up and I hope to be floating in my ski biscuit (large tube)this weekend!!

tina

Thanks Tina. Its a lake in central Gulf Coast Florida.

Have a great weekend floating!