How has your summer been going? I hope you have been able to take advantage of the beautiful warm weather and get outdoors with your family. So far this summer, we have been having a blast with the girls, and making some wonderful summer memories. Last year, Bella, our youngest, had just started walking, so I had spent most of the time carrying her around, while Savannah tried new things. Now, this summer, Savannah is showing her little sister the ropes and enjoying things with her best friend/'lil sis.
One thing we have been loving is getting the girls out on the water. There is nothing like taking the boat out for the evening to gaze up at the stars and moon, and point out the fireflies in the air. And, this past 4th of July while visiting with family, we rented a boat and took the girls out on the water to watch the fireworks for their first time. I wish you could have saw the excitement on their faces, as they watched the night sky light up with the beautiful colors. The grand finale was their favorite part, minus the large boom boom booms. And, when the show was over, Savannah turned to me and asked if that was for her birthday. She had thought we arranged the fireworks to celebrate her upcoming 4th birthday. While my husband was quick to say "Yes," I told her that it was to celebrate the 4th. :-)
I have shared in the past how right before I started cancer treatment, my family sold our boat. The cost of storing and maintaining a boat is expensive, and not knowing how much time we would be spending on it due to my health, made us decide we were better off selling it. And, I have to say that while we missed the boat, it was a good idea at the time as we went from a 2 household income to one, as I stopped working right before I began treatment. Then, when I was getting stronger and feeling "normal" again, we found out we were expecting our first child, and then another the following year. So, we have been busy these past few years, and not spent time out on the water like we used to.
This was the first year that we found ourselves heading to NH or RI to vacation. And, while there, we would rent a boat and take the girls out on it. They are still learning how to swim and are too young to go tubing. But, I know that when they get old enough, they will have a blast. :-)
Because we don't own a boat, we have to rent not only the boat, but also the life jackets and other accessories, for a day out on the water. We are running out of storage space at our house, and I hate having to lug more than we need when vacationing, so it works out best to just rent things when we decide at the spur of the moment to get out on the water. Did you know that you could rent life jackets? Yes, you can with a Sea Tow membership.
"Sea
Tow is the #1 choice for boaters nationwide for expert on-water assistance. As a Sea Tow member you receive free towing, fuel drops,
jump starts, priority service, Automated Radio Checks, 24/7 nationwide
coverage, knowledgeable Captains, covered ungroundings, savings and much more.
Sea Tow memberships are available in Gold Card for $169 a year and Lake Card
for $119 a year options.
The Sea Tow Foundation was created in 2007 by Sea Tow founder, Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer. The
Sea Tow Foundation promotes safe boating practices and education initiatives
that directly reduce accidents, fatalities and property damage related to
recreational boating. The Sea Tow Foundation has distributed close to 15,000
life jackets nationwide to help make recreational boaters safer on the water
with Life Jacket Loaner Stand located Nationwide."
In addition to renting life jackets through a Sea Tow and Loaner Life Jacket Stand Location, Sea Tow also many other services that boaters (both renters and owners) will love including from boating insurance, to dock-to-dock towing, fuel drops, jump starts and even access to expert Sea Tow captains for local knowledge, navigational assistance and more.
"As a Sea Tow member you receive free towing, fuel drops, jump starts, priority service, Automated Radio Checks, 24/7 nationwide coverage, knowledgeable Captains, covered ungroundings, savings and more! Now, that's a lot of service for only 46 cents a day.*"
We have been using this service for the past couple of years, and have loved it. It is so convenient, and membership is priced right."
If you have older children who are looking for more responsibility this summer, or want to learn the ropes of navigating a boat, then you will want to print out the fun Sea Tow First Mate Checklist Infographic shown below. This infographic offers a checklist for kids to go through and make sure that everyone on board the boat is ready to enjoy a day out on the water safely, starting with properly fitting life jackets.
Over the 4th of July holiday weekend, we rented a boat and took friends from college, along with their 8 and 10 year old sons out on the water, and gave them the Sea Tow First Mate Checklist. They loved feeling involved in preparations for a day out on the water...and being called first mates! :-)
In addition to enjoying a day out on the water, I love packing a light lunch and snacks for everyone. The last thing you want to do is get out on the water and have the kids start asking for food, or talk about how hungry they are. I found some great kid-friendly snack recipes while visiting the Sea Tow website recently that I thought I would pass along. The recipes are so easy to make, and many can be made with the help of your children...which my girls loved. Everyone's personal favorite from the recipes found at -- https://www.seatow.com/news-and-events/international/2014/6/Three-Great-Snacks-for-the-Boat -- was this oh so simple, yet oh so tasty KICKIN’ CORN SALAD.
Getting hungry yet? :-)
So, as you can see...even if you don't have a boat, you can still enjoy time out on the water with your family this summer. Many marinas offer boat rentals, but that is about it. Don't get out on the water and run into issues like running out of gas, needing a jump start, etc. With a Sea Tow membership, you will have peace of mind knowing that help is a call away, 24/7, nationwide. Maybe down the road we will think about buying another boat once the girls get a little older. But, for now, we are enjoying taking them to RI and getting out on the water, by renting a boat and having our Sea Tow card on hand in case of unexpected emergencies.
To learn more about Sea Tow including their membership levels, services offered, locations, etc., visit https://www.seatow.com.
Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Sea Tow. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.
I have never heard of this before but this is a great idea to have if you have a boat and I love that the coverage is 24/7 nationwide thanks for sharing this one.
ReplyDeleteheather [email protected]