And the World Champion is...

No, this has nothing to do with the World Series.  Today was the "World Shrimp Cook-Off Championship" in Port Isabel.  This area claims the "largest shrimping fleet in the US"... this is kind of a big event here.

We started out day off with some kayaking...

An absolutely perfect day in the Tropical Tip.  I don't toss that "perfect" description around lightly when it comes to the weather.  Perfect.  It was in the 70s when we headed out in the kayaks; beautiful sunny sky with almost no wind and low humidity.  Perfect.

We ran down our canal, made the turn to the west, and into the canal on the far side of the Sea Cottages...

We rafted up for a bit so Joan could kick back; I pedaled slowly...

We moved out into the ICW, then west to the Port Isabel Turning Basin.  We both marveled at the fact that there were no other boats out on a beautiful morning like this...

Ahead in the distance is a drilling ship...

It came into the turning basin almost a year ago - the local newspaper said it was here for refurbishment.  No sign that is happening... it is looking abandoned.

We paddled along the shoreline of the turning basin, then turned back towards Long Island.  A marker along the way...

Joan paddling towards the sparkly water she likes...

Heading back, we saw our neighbor heading out with his catamaran sailboat...

He asked if we "wanted a tow"... with the slight wind, I was about to ask him the same thing...

They were heading out, we were heading in - we said our good-byes... a great day on the water...

We cleaned up and headed out on the scoots to the Shrimp Cook-Off.  We found a parking spot about a block away.  The band was already playing, the food booths all had lines of people ready to eat, and the crowd was BIG...

We were here for the food (they have other stuff besides shrimp) and the music.  Nothing says "Shrimp Cook-off" like nachos and a Phillie steak sandwich.  ;-)  We settled in for several hours of music...

The band is The Agency, a talented group of musicians celebrating their 20th year of playing together (and 13th year of playing at the Shrimp Cook-Off).  Joan said, "They look older than the first time we saw them..."

"Yeah, us, too."  ;-)

We stuck around for the crowning of the new Champion, pro and amateur.  No, I didn't try all the entries, so I am going along with the vote.

A fine way to spend a beautiful day!