winding down

  No, not us but the park in general. If you were along back in October you know I spoke of the winter Texans arriving. Even though the March calendar is full of activities, the slow but sure exodus has begun. A month from now the park will be closer to empty than full. We have task yet to complete here, but have begun to sketch out our travel plans. Those do not include the obligatory trips in April to Arlington, more on the line of a three month trip north. On my short list is a trip to Kentucky-West Virginia-Virginia-North Carolina. Or we might go north to the Dakota's then west thru Wyoming-Montana-Idaho maybe even Washington State. Time will tell which way we go.

  We both have been fighting the cruise crud since our return. That has put us a little behind schedule, but being retired we have no place to be and all day to get there. Not a bad situation to be in.

more from cruise

 On a previous visit to Key West we enjoyed visiting the Butterfly Conservatory. It again was our choice on how to spend some time. While pretty, they flitter and flutter regardless if you are in focus and ready to shoot

Here's looking at you kid!

Half Moon Cay

clear water and school Sargent majors

Grand Turk

Dominican Republic

Another zip line shot

on board the ship

Cruise

 A quick review of our 9 day Cruise. We sailed out of Tampa, spent day at sea then visited Key West. Then onto Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas after another at sea day. From there it was on to Gran Turk for a day, then next onto Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. That led to two sea days before arriving back in Tampa. Yes, I know Carnival is not on top of the food chain when one compares Cruise Lines companies. Having said that, they like doing the type cruises we will do. In reviewing all these photos it seems I took more of Mary than anything else. Not a bad thing in my opinion, your's may differ. Our goal was to relax after a stressful couple of months, mission accomplished!


 In the beginning:

nice leaving from small airport

 leaving Tampa

 not quite ready for dinner...

 now she is ready!

 another day, another dress

 Private Oasis on Half Moon Cay. Very memorable day. Google it if you do not know

 Gran Turk

 yes, I was on the cruise

 full moon over Gran Turk, not as sharp as hoped for but best I could do.

 Amber Cove, Domican Republic

 Mary on a zip line. She LOVED it

ready for Valentines day

 another dress

 and so it ended where it all began

 We are already booked on next years cruise. It will take us back to Half Moon cay and Amber Cove, in addition we will sail to Aruba, Bonair and Curraco. More fun soaking up the sun for next February, now on to planning a three month RV trip

A little update

Harvested some grapefruits today. What you see is but a fraction. Set them in chair beside road and neighbors come by and take what they want. Same with Meyer lemons.

 Left one golf cart in Alvord, sold the other one to friend. Bought another today. While it looks and runs good, i have some projects planned for it.

 Tomorrow we fly to Tampa and board the ship on Sunday. Stories and pics from the high seas around the sixteenth or so.



Bon voyage!