We are Back!!

Although we enjoy going off on vacation, we always are glad to be home too.  Made it back to Ft Lauderdale without issue so that was very good.  Arrived about 7am and left ship about 8am.  After dropping Alex & Katy off at airport did our replenishing of groceries at Costco (nearly flipped at total cost) and grocery store - finally made it home early afternoon.  All fine at home.  Lots of laundry etc... didn't feel great with chills last night and woke in the night with a bit of chills and a drippy nose..  - no crud though.. all ok as far as my stomach but just a bit achy and hard to stay warm - doesn't help we are having a cold spell - highs today in 50's after being down in the caribbean with perfectly wonderful weather.  Never had so much activity in the pools.  No real complaints but we still like our 1st ship the best; liked the layout of decks and pools and activities geared more for our age group.  This ship is geared towards a younger type people and we missed our "promonade deck" where you can walk all the way around the ship without going inside.  Not possible on this one but never thought too much about it before so guess we just had to learn the hard way. ha!  Wait staff at dinner remembered our names and sang to us a few nights which was fun.  They have all been so different.  I would not recommend booking a room in the bow area of the ship... we did and although we were on 9th deck it was still noisy and the water was heard at night.  Not a big deal but haven't had that before so noticed it quite a bit this time.  A few days to recoop and then on to the Everglades Nat'l' Park.. I'm excited. Now just have to get well!!!

Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Mon!!

Our last port of call was Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  Was so looking forward to visiting this place especially after watching Cool Runnings but checked what others said on line and found some very negative comments.  Made us very dubious and so did go ashore to shop some but did not get out and about as we would have liked.Oh well, the beaches were easily accessible and nice. We are not big beach people any more though. ha!  Found people fun and so nice.  Enjoyed our stop very much and glad we did go ashore to at least say we went there.  No excursions though which was probably a mistake but were thankful we did what we did..  Think it is like most places. Better than some and not as bad as we had thought it would be... (of course if we had looked at comments before booking probably wouldn't have gone there to begin with and that would have been a bigger mistake. ha! - how do you like that reasoning?

Grand Cayman Island

A few pics of Alex with Early holding up his shirt.. didn't want to get sun burned.  Actually we were told initially it was only about knee deep but turned out to be a little deeper afterall.  No matter, fun was had by all.  Alex said later he did see a variety of fish. Water was so clear and warm it was easy to see without snorkeling but guess we missed some anyway.

Grand Cayman Island

After Key West we went on south to Grand Cayman Island. Oh, what a fun place.  We actually signed up for an "excursion" to go swim and play with the sea "rays".  These wild creatures are actually fed so they cooperate with the all these crazy people who come to see them and pet them.  I am sure everyone had a wonderful time!  The scenery was out of this world; the weather "perfect" and the guys on the boat (from England) were so much fun!  Our boat was made just for this type of thing so we could just walk off the back instead of having to deal ladders and what not.... Alex and Katy snorkeled some and Early wandered around throughly enjoying himself too.  This was called Deluxe Stingray City Sandbar; Marineland tours on Grand Cayman.  Such great guys and so much fun. 

Key West, FL

First port of call; Key West!  What a perfectly lovely day too!  Heard they had 4" of rain overnight and when we 1st woke up a bit cloudy but then the clouds started to part and oh my!!! Perfectly lovely and so warm!!  What is not to like?  Walked around town and did a little shopping but because we will be staying in the Keys in a few weeks didn't do too much.  Just enjoyed the day.  Had a great breakfast then after a walk through town headed back for a little afternoon swim; lunch and get ready to rock and roll.  Ship leaves port at 5pm and will be off line rest of week.  All day at sea to morow then grand Cayman Island before going on to Jamaica Man....

Carnival Freedom

Made it on board and although cloudy and overcast it was plenty warm enough.  Big screen to watch Super Bowl game!  Fun to watch the parade of ships as they leave the harbor - 1st stop Key West in the morning..

Ft Lauderdale, FL

One fo the best things to happen lately is finally getting to meet nephew Thad and his wife Whitney from Minnesota!!!  It just so happened his mom was paying attention and mentioned that they were also doing a cruise at this time of year and after a bit of juggling realized they were taking same boat as our scheduled cruise only a week earlier; so we arranged to meet up with them as they came back and we were leaving... Wonderful people as we already knew but so fun to finally meet!! Too many years of missing each other... kudos to sister Sandra for helping us out here!!

Lakeport RV; Moor Haven, FL

This year we have moved to Lakeport RV on a canal next to Lake Okeechobee.  Not a large park but we are on a concrete pad with full hookups and no extra charge to stay on site while we are on cruise.  Good 50 amp power and quiet area.  Took ride through town and visited the locks on the western end of the lake as we have in the past.  Same guy stil works there.  Windy or seemed to be most of the time but nice and warm so what the heck.  All sorts of birds with a pair of resident sandhill cranes so what's not to like>

Wauchula, Florida

Another lovely sunset here in Wauchula!  Only a few more days before we head further south to prepare to board for cruise!  Leg was feeling much better and swelling all gone when Early and I decided to 'run' across the street to the salvage yard (for a rearview mirror for car) when the muscle in my leg pulled again!  Oh my, it hurts again.. Just when I thought I was pretty much healed.  guess these things take more than a week or two to heal - internet says give it 6 weeks. oh my.. Otherwise all good here... Oh yes, have to add - just read my 1st free book from Amazon on Kindle - Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Loved it!!  Small book and doesn't cover any of the Rev War but what a guy.  We all know he was smart but this guy knew it too. ha!  I really enjoyed how  highly he speaks of himself. Not your typical autobiography but for the time c. 1757 it was good info.  Of course I love history so that helps.  It is free download without kindle if you download free "reader" from Amazon as well.

Solomon's Castle, Ona, FL

Central Florida is a bit in the middle of nowhere; however there is always something to do.  We have heard about this place for years and finally ventured over to do a little sightseeing.  This guy purchased about 55 acres back in the 1970's (mostly swamp) and then proceeded to take everyone else's thrown away junk "stuff" and re-create it into his own castle.  This guy's castle has gift shop with items he himself made and on the tour of the various rooms you are led into part of his actual living quarters.  He began cutting and creating when very young and it took him many years to finish castle and then another number of years to create the "Boat in the Moat".  The boat operates a little restaurant run by a daughter and son-in-law and offer light meals.  Another gift shop is found near lighthouse also made by him.  Interesting guy and uses everything from old chains and brake drums to who knows what.  Very creative and interesting.  He visited Texas a few years ago and Loved the Alamo so came back and built his own!  How funny.  Looks just like the Alamo too.  Ona, Florida is off in no man's land but what the heck.  Lots of farming in this area so nice drive.  $10.00 each for tour and lunch runs around the same price.