OUR RIVER, LUNCH CRUISE ~ FORT MYERS, FL

Our driver ~ on the bus ride to Ft. Myers, FL. 

Buffet table set up in the aisle of the boat.                

The paddleboat~reminded me of the Mississippi River, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

Ready to eat, dance, sightsee and bird watch.     

Going through the locks.

Closing the locks. 

Locks are closed/water is leveling for our move to the other side. (My finger got in the way.)

Shiny red paddles on our boat. We cruised on the river for a few hours, enjoying food, music and the top deck for sightseeing.  Saw beautiful homes, large boats, draw bridges and an island where wood storks live and nest year 'round.  

EACH DAY IS BETTER THAN THE LAST

Ciera won mini golf!  I came in last!  Oh well...

      Rare ~ pictures of me~ 

t

FLORIDA FUN

Warm day by the water.

Our visitors.

Loving Victor!

What was life like before
cell phones?

Baby Victor.

Even Brian likes Victor.

All dressed up for the airboat ride.

Victor's older cousin.

What a fun ride it was!

Our airboat guide/driver.  He was a real Floridian swamp guy.

Salud!  Fun at Old Town...

Kayla and Ciera ready
for their ride. 

Smurfette gets to ride
the plane back to WI. 

The ride~flying high!

Say Turkey Legs!  YUMMO!
Joe, Frances and Augie enjoying 
Old Town "carni food." 

MAD HATTERS!

A night at Downtown Disney had everyone acting silly.  We spent sooo much time in this Disney Store! Trying on hats seemed to be the thing to do.  Everywhere I looked people were trying on hats.  The teacher in me was thinking...Hmmmm--wonder if anyone has head lice?  Took me back to the days when I was the "Louse Checker" at school. 

No hats were purchased, especially not the one Joe was wearing, no resemblance to Johnny Depp!  

Joe wanted to know who he was.   

Ciera and Kayla are Chip and Dale.

                    

                So, so CUTE!!                   MAD HATTERS!

DON'T REMEMBER SIGNING UP FOR THIS!

Woke up to 34'!  Thought I was in Florida! I know, people in Wisconsin would be digging out their shorts and T-shirts, as the high today will be 55'.  Not exactly what we have had most days this winter.  Tomorrow high of 68'; in the low 80's the rest of the week.  Sounds much better to me! 
Actually, this winter has been fantastic for FL weather. The Floridians rejoice on days like today/they love their "winter" weather.  I can tolerate a few days of "cold" ~ no snow, frost, shivering, boots, gloves, etc.          

A FEEDING FRENZY

             An unusual, yet interesting morning.  
Most mornings I do the chore of sweeping the leaves in front of our cottage and down the driveway.  The leaves are constant falling.  I rake them up and the next week it looks as if I haven't touched them.  Well, on Wednesday I snatched the broom and went outside, to be greeted by thousands of flies.  Tiny bodied flies with transparent wings.  I brushed myself off and ducked back inside. Looking out the windows I saw flies on all sides of the cottage.  Then I noticed the birds.  Hundreds of birds were flying every which way, diving to catch the flies!  Binoculars out, I tried to see what kind of birds they were.  They were so quick I could not get a good view.  Within an hour the feeding frenzy was over - the birds and flies were gone and the sky was clear.  
                    An interesting morning!

As you can see in these pictures, the birds were diving sideways, upside down, every which way to catch the flies.  Must've been a joy for them to have such an abundant breakfast.
I do wonder how the birds just happened to be where the flies were.
Maybe the birds were following them on their route? 

A SMALL PEEK ~ OUR CRUISE IN THE CARIBBEAN

In Mexico we saw Crocodiles. We also took an excursion driving our own jeeps.  I drove one and Dan drove the other one.  Following our guide, in his dune buggy, we traversed along very bumpy, potholed roads!  I was having fun driving.  It was almost like a Disney ride!  I had to keep up with the guide and try to avoid all the potholes!  We would be going 20 then soon up to 80!  Crazy as it was, I had a great time driving that jeep! 

On the Grand Cayman Island we met a begging raccoon. 

Joe and David climbed 124 steps to the top of the lighthouse.  That's Joe on the left-wearing his wide-brimmed hat.  

Gail and Jerry drinking a Coco Loco. 

Nancy and Joe smiling for the camera.

Susie and Dan, relaxing in Mexico.

Phyllis and David staying out of the sun. 

The view as we left the Grand Caymans. 

Welcome to Hell, Grand Caymans.  The town is really called Hell.  Extremely pointy volcanic rocks make up a good portion of the town, which is quite small. Thus, the name HELL.

We saw several iguanas on this trip. 

David and Susie climbing up Dunn's Fall in Jamaica.  I backed out of this "jaunt" as I would have been wet all day (no swimsuit on that day) the water was at least waist deep. David braved it with his street clothes--yes, and wet the rest of the day. 

Gas by the liter.  Around $6.00 a gallon. 

A CHOCOLATE BUFFET!
What more could a person ask for? 

One of a multitude of ice sculptures at the
Chocolate Buffet. 

The Eiffel Tower in chocolate!

Oh, where to go on Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas?

One of the tender boats that took us from the ship to the islands. 

This window on the ship greeted us each day as we walked up the steps to take the elevator to the Garden Cafe. 

To help reduce the spreading of germs, all restroom doors had these signs. 

To prevent the spreading of germs and viruses all elevators, restaurants and casinos were equipped with antibacterial stands. No touch-automatic release as you put your hand under it. 

Our room ~ with a large porthole window.
Several nights I would wake up and watch out the porthole to see other ships in the distance.  One afternoon I saw a large sailboat pass by.  Must have been someone living on their boat and cruising from island to island. 

These towel animals greeted us each day, made by our Steward, Gabena.  There was a class and a DVD on how to do towel art.  I did not participate, as I was convinced I'd never need that skill!
Gabena did a fantastic job keeping our room neat and tidy.  We would leave and upon our return she had everything straightened out.  News of what was happening each day was left on our bed for us to read.  She greeted each person in the hall, by name.  Amazing, as each week she has a new hall of people to take care of.

We had a great time on the open seas last week.  Where to next?  I must start doing some research!
So many places in the world to visit.  Learning about how the people live is the most interesting to me.  Seeing various cultures and finding friendly people no matter where we go is enlightening.
Thanking the Good Lord for being healthy and limber enough to keep going is our prayer.