Thursday - Day 2 Bangkok Hospital

After a great nights sleep and coffee in the garden Brett and Maya introduced me to their 'soi'. A soi is a small street off a large multi-laned street. Usually only a car and a half wide and lined with parked cars, street vendor carts, restaurants and shops a soi serves wheeled and foot traffic. Brett and Maya's place was flanked by Soi 4 and Soi 6 off Ratchawiti Road. Soi 6 had all the shops and restaurants on it so that is the one we accessed the main roads from the most often.

This bright and warm morning we strolled the block or so down the soi to their usual breakfast restaurant. It has no name - you just know where it is. After placing our order we settled in the eating area set behind the open air cooking area and watched what Maya assured me is really bad Thai TV until our breakfast was served. I went with the egg and pork omelet which was served over rice to ease myself into Thai cuisine.

True to my promise to Jack and my doctor we set off to get my last of the series of three hepatitis vaccinations I was supposed to get as soon as I got to Bangkok. Our planned destination was the Travelers Clinic next to the nearby hospital. I gamely followed Brett and Maya as they threaded their way through the crowds along the streets and then on the elevated

walkways that allow people to move from the sky train platforms to the various streets without impeding the wheeled traffic on the streets. Since Victory Monument is not a tourist area of Bangkok very few signs are written in English so I had to be told the large white building complex we were entering was the hospital.

In a large reception type area rimmed with windowed offices Maya explained at the information desk that I needed to get my last hepatitis vaccination and I was inducted into the Thai medical system. Moving from station to station went pretty smooth until it was discovered that I'd been mistakenly listed as Mr. Sharen Rea. That got me shuffled back to the records area for a re-do. As I was sitting and waiting to be called for further processing I was amazed at the number and variety of Thai's preparing to travel. There were some very old and some less than healthy folks waiting for their travel shots. When a nurse in a 1950's style nurse uniform beckoned me to come forward I figure they'd take me in the little room and give me my shot so I went in without Brett or Maya. That only lasted a minute. A woman sitting at a small writing table began asking me questions - I think. She looked at me - I looked at her. Then I went to the door and beckoned Brett and Maya to join me.... they were smiling at me when I opened the door - I think they had a bet on how long it would take for be to be back in the doorway.

Maya explained the situation. The two had a nice discussion. We three were directed back out of that closet and directed to go to another window to pay. That done we were directed to go to the Pharmacy window. Brett, Maya and I became a little concerned. Was I going to be given a shot through the pharmacy window? Had there been a misunderstanding and I going to be give the treatment for hepatitis instead of a vaccination? Were hep vaccines self administered in Thailand? I was waived to the window. We were the only farangs in the reception area so I guess they knew who we were and I was handed a small vial with a clear liquid in a plastic bag. Hmmm.

Maya asked a question and the guy at the counter pointed down another hall. So off we went in that direction and there was another nurses station. She had needles! Good! None of us wanted to give me a shot! Two hours had lapsed when we emerged from the clinic. Maya told me I could keep my hospital card as a keepsake - which was when I found out we had not been able to find the Travelers Clinic listed on the internet and went to the regular hospital for my shot. So all those people weren't travelers getting travel vaccinations - they were every day Thai's in the walk-in clinic! This was only the first of many instances where I found myself clueless as to the details of the situation!

With the must-do done we set off to see the Chao Phraya River by water taxi. My second meal in Thailand was at an American restaurant called Rick's which wasn't very exotic but the fish foot spa that followed was! The little fish swarmed one foot and then the other for a ticklish 15 minutes!

THAILAND HERE I COME!

Dressed in my 'warm' garb for the Medford to Portland segment of my journey to the Far East I took off on schedule from the recently remodeled Medford Airport for the short hop North to Portland, Oregon.

Mike picked me and my bags up and we swung by Carl's Jr. to pick up hamburgers for dinner at the house. As Caleb dug into his hamburger he cheerfully encouraged me to enjoy my last taste of anything other than fish and rice for the next three weeks. BOY WAS HE WRONG!

The flight from Portland to Seattle was short, sweet and uneventful. I've learned all the things you can not carry and what shoes not to wear when you will be going through airport security so I went right on through every check point without a hicup.

By pure chance I had selected seat 39B on the big transcontinental Korean Air jet. What a great seat! The flight attendant seemed concerned that I might not want to be by the bathroom but the trade off was only having one person sitting beside me during the 10.5 hour flight into Seoul, Korea. The ride was bumpy but I still managed to sleep awhile and the rest of the time was taken up with movies and eating. They do feed you on the international flights - and feed you well. My concerns about being offered only Korean food were completely unfounded.

I did get what I thought was yogurt on my breakfast tray - but it wasn't. I watched others and they put a soy sauce looking dressing in it and seemed to enjoy it. I tried but the taste didn't appeal. That was my experimental food for the day. I am determined to give atleast one new thing per day a try!

Seoul to Bangkok flight seemed to be really short and I was in Bangkok, through customs and imigration in no time. Then I was lost.

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand is new, extremely functional and traveler friendly until you get on the other side of Customs. Then you are facing a blank white wall with no obvious exits. Watching others I noticed people went to the far end of the wall on either end and disappeared around the edge. Left or Right? I went left because it was closer.

On the other side of the wall was a short maze like hall with a couple of switchbacks and then you were in a huge open area filled with people moving along with purpose. In front of me was a set of revolving doors that obviously lead to the outdoors and waiting taxis but I really wanted to be with Brett and Maya before I left the securty of the airport so I looked over every sign in sight (none of which were in English) for a hint of where to go from this point. Over head there was one small sign with an arrow indicating that down the corridor to my right was the Meeting Area. Since it was the only English option I went down the corridor while scanning the crowd for Brett or Maya.

After what seemed like a very long walk and no sight of a 'Meeting Area' I was beginning to consider returning to my starting point and looking for other options when I heard "SHAREN". Not to be egotistical or anything but I figured that must mean me so I immediately stopped and looked around. On the far right side of the corridor, on the other side of a red ribboned off area I caught sight of Maya's lovely face and Brett's wonderful grin! Awww, they did come for me!

There had been some concern on my part about what day I was actually arriving in Thailand - the international date line came into play somewhere around Japanese air space which threw me 15 hours ahead in time. So although I left on Tuesday I was arriving in Thailand after 11 pm on Wednesday night. Or so Brett assured me and he was right. I was in Tuesday but Wednesday in Bangkok was over before we got to their place.

Brett and Maya were both rather impressed with my economy of luggage. Because I didn't have to pick up baggage I guess I ended up not going out the exit they were watching for me from and I was on the other side of the red tape! We worked our way down until we came to an area where I could 'cross over' and I got big hugs from Brett and Maya before we went in search of a taxi.

Bangkok at night is like driving through Los Angeles except I could not read any of the street signs! Highrises, four lane freeway full of fast moving cars, stores open and lots of people out and about on the sidewalks even though it was after Midnight and it was a Wednesday night.

Victory Monument is a tall Washington Monument looking tower - well-lit and impressive in the middle of a large round about. Brett pointed out that if I got lost if I could get to Victory Monument I'd be able to find the house. As if I was going ANYWHERE with out them, ha! Within minutes of being in Bangkok I was sufficiently aware I was totally out of my element.

Brett and Maya had made arrangements for me to stay in one of their landlords two guesthouse rooms. It was spacious and a charming blend of new and old. I loved it immediately. The landlady's dog, though, did not take to me at all! Something that didn't change in the following four days. I don't think I smelled 'right' to him!

So after what seemed like a long day to me but was actually two days I said good night to the young ones and went to quickly to sleep in my princess suite!

READY, SET TO GO! My two little bags are packed to the max. I have all my money (dollars and baht), drivers license, passport, divers certification card and credit cards in my money belt. Disposable paperback books tucked in my bag. And it's 2:30 PM. Can't print my boarding passes for my Medford to Portland leg of the trip until after 5:30 today.

So I'm letting you all know I will be incomuticato for the next three weeks after this post. I'm not even taking a cell phone! Traveling light - but bright - my LL Bean backpack is as bright pink as one can get! Thanks to my sis I also have one of those neat little suitcases with wheels and a extendable handle - it is a modest navy blue but I've added a neon orange tag with my name on it and a salmon pink ribbon. I will be able to spot my "stuff" anywhere!

Woke up to 20 degrees this morning to the 90 degree weather in Bangkok is going to be something of a system shock. The low's at night in Thailand are running between 60 and 70 degrees! Dressing for the trip is a bit of a challenge! Sandles, capri's, light blouse, sweatshirt (which will be left in Portland for the return trip) in Oregon's winter weather may look a bit odd tomorrow but I don't want to pack anything I won't need for my 27 hours of travel!

Just think - in two days I will be in Thailand! WOW! I am going to try not to leave my mouth hanging open in awe! Brett has assured me it is going to be like nothing else I've ever experienced! I'll be keeping a journal and taking pictures so you'll get my veiw of Thailand when I get home!

Until then, take care of yourselves my loved ones! I'll think of you as I travel!

Thailand "Plans" - and we all know what can happen with plans!

But here are the dates that Brett, Maya and I have already bought tickets or made reservations for and the links to those that have them (as was requested by loved ones here at home!)

Feb. 22rd - Monday - I fly from Medford to Portland and spend the night at Caleb and Mike's. (I'll see plenty of hotels in the next few months and seldom get to spend time with my son's!)

Feb 23rd - Tuesday -8:30 am I will be at the airport for my 10:30 am Horizon Air flight from Portland to Seattle and there I get on Korean Air at 1 pm to make the long flight overseas. I arrive in Seoul Incheon International Airport at 5:35 pm although the flight is 11 1/2 hours long --in other words it is going to be the longest 4 1/2 hours in MY life. The final leg starts at 7:20 pm when I board the Korean Air flight to Bangkok - which is another 2,281 air miles (6 hours) and I arrive in Suvarnabhumi Inernational Airport outside Bangkok at 11:10 pm on Tuesday night. Plum amazing! My total airtime will be 21 hours and 40 minutes! And I will have traveled 7,610 miles in that short time!

I will be staying in the Victory Monument area of Bangkok, Thailand for my 5 days there. Brett and Maya's place is 40 seconds away according to Brett! :-)

Feb. 24th - Wednesday - WHEN I wake up we will be off to get my final shots so I'll be protected from Hepititus and Japanese Encephilitus and whatever else Maya has for us to do that day...I'm sure it will all be awesome to me! We will be in Bangkok for 5 days - items I'd like to see are The Oriental Hotel/and "the river", the flower mart, have a converastional afternoon with refugees, see where Brett has worked, try a thai massage, see traditional thai dancing, visit the Ancient City, and visit the famous Emerald Buddha and whatever else catches my eye! :-)

Feb. 28th - Sunday Evening - we fly from Bangkok to Krabi airport in Southern Thailand where we will be staying at Tonsai Beach which is within walking distance of Railey in Krabi Providence. There we will be splashing in the ocean, I will watch Brett and Maya climb (if I can) the huge limestone walls, sea kayak and I hope to get in a two tank scuba dive!

March 7 - Sunday Evening - we fly back to Bangkok to spend one night in the big city again.

March 8 - Monday - we fly to Chiang Rai airport in Northern Thailand. From here we plan on seeing the famous temples in Chiang Mai, the mountain town of Pai, Mae Hong Son (where Maya often worked). We are going to do atleast some of this on scooters! (I got a little practice in on one in the Caribbean you remember?)

March 10 - Wednesday - Chiang Rai- We have reservations at the lovely Mirror Art Guest House before we head off to Laos

March 11 - Thursday - We will be catching the early bus to the Thailand/Laos border town where we will take a ferry boat across the Mekong River to Houayxay (pronounced "way sigh"), Laos so we can check in at the Gibbon Experience office before 7 pm in preparation for our 3 day 2 night adventure . We will spend the night somewhere in Houayxay - it only has one main street. Here is a link to a woman's travel tale that has done this already- Waterfall Gibbon Experience- Best three days ever - I'll let you know if I have the same experience!

March 12 - Friday - We will be driven to Baan Toup village and then we hike into the Bokeo Nam Kan National Park - along the Nam Nga Valley to spend two nights in tree houses 300 feet in the canopy that are accessed by zip lines.

March 14 - Sunday - Return from the jungle and Laos the way we came and stay at the Banilah Guest House in Chaing Mai for two nights.

March 16 - Monday - flying into the Bangkok Int. Airport from Northern Thailand. We will have dinner there together and I board my Korean Air flight shortly before 1 am on March 17th to begin my trek back to the U.S.

March 17 - Tuesday - 8:15 am I'll be at the Seoul Incheon International airport where I will people watch, read, eat, crochet and entertain myself for the next 10 hours. I did this to myself so I will not complain. At 6:20 pm I will leave Seoul, Korea and arrifve in Seattle at Noon on the same Tuesday. My Horizon flight leaves Seattle at 2 pm and I arrive at Portland about 3 pm. I am hoping Caleb will be there to take me to his house where I will spend the real night.

March 18 - Wednesday - I'll be back at the Portland Airport at 2 pm for my 4 pm flight to Medford. It lands at 5 pm and Jack, my loving husband, will be there to pick me up and drive us home to Klamath Falls.

I think I will be tired so I am not planning on doing much for a few days once I get home but you never know... :-P

We are back in Klamath Falls! In fact we've been back since about January 11th! We have just been busy little bees and blogging got squeezed out. Here's a quick update for anyone curious about what's happened since the Loxahatchee River Trip!

Diane and I had a Bingo Night, had a couple of girl's days out and went to the Gaylord Resort in Orlando together before we all flew back to Oregon - Diane and Keith to see to the repair of their Coos Bay house - Jack and I back to our house in Klamath Falls.

The new bamboo flooring was in but the house had to be put back together. Furniture put back in correct rooms, rugs purchased and put down, all the surfaces in the whole house wiped down as the fine saw dust had floated everywhere, and then we unpacked from our two month trip! These things took a few days to accomplish!

Then I kept looking at the walls....dingy white with scuff marks and settling cracks. And I started collecting paint chips... Shortly afterward I had a discussion with a professional painter we know and since he wasn't busy he gave us a heck of a price on painting the whole interior and making the little repairs that needed done to boot. My sweetie seldom tells me "No" and he didn't this time either. So our home is now colorized!

It took a little longer than we estimated to get the project completed because I came down with a flu - rotten little buggers got me on the plane home I suspect. Anyway, we moved everything to the center of the rooms and then I went to bed sick. The house was torn up for a good 10 days with our painter being very thoughtful and taking a break for 4 days when I was the sickest. Moving the furniture around was hard on both Jack and I as his back was all bound up to the point he was going to the chiropractor and finally to the Dr. for medication to undo the muscle spasms and I would break out in coughing fits if I excerted myself very much! But we got it done!

I am all but done with the coughing, hacking horrible crud and Jack's back is getting better. All this is very good since I am leaving on this coming Monday for my long awaited, planned for, and anticipated 3 week trip to Thailand!!!

Loxahatchee River - Jonathan Dickinson State Park - Trapper Nelson Interpretive Center

Diane and I had GREAT day on the Loxahatchee River! It didn't go the way we expected - we arrived at 9 am (which means we were up at 6 am and on the road by 7 am) to hear the Captian of the River Queen explaining to the 10 people standing by the river that the 9 am tour was cancelled due to mechanical problems. That took the wind out of our sails for a few minutes.

Then it came to light that we could rent a little skiff for the same price as the tour. We got our key and loaded into the boat and tried to get the motor going. The Captain stopped tinkering on the big pontoon boat and came over to us.

He asked if we knew what we were doing. Diane and I said "No" in unison so he got in the boat and started the engine. We were happy! Diane took over at the engine and I cast off the lines. Into reverse we go, point up river and the engine dies. The Captian looked a bit dismayed on the dock. But a couple pulls and it started again. A few minutes later we were putt putting up the Loxahatchee River without a guide. We had a map and had been told to stick to the main river... OK?!

The main river was a little hard to discern a few times but we pretty much followed the visable flow of the water and made very few sidetrips, of which all always led back to the 'main'. Several islands divided the channel and we did our best... there were no signs until 50 feet before we arrived at the interpretive site.

The river is like a mirror and the spanish moss draped from the trees looked so exotic. Osprey and turtles were everywhere. We even saw an alligator swimming up river.

The Trapper Nelson Interperetive Center has been restored to it's original state and gave a great feeling for how he lived, what his rustic wildlife zoo had been like and the abundant way things grow here in Florida. He had almond, orange, lemon and apple trees, pineapple plants as well as a vegetable garden! We'd only rented the skiff for 2 hrs so we had to miss the Ranger's talk and head back down river.

Again we loaded into the boat and again we could not get it started! Diane pulled until her arms wouldn't let her anymore. Then I tried until we could smell gas. So we figure it is flooded and sit in the boat contemplating our situation. About that time two men and a boy pull up to the dock in kayaks, unload and head up the path to the center. Disappointed that there wasn't any offer to help we tried starting the engine again ourselves. No luck. But then we hear a voice saying, "I'll be back in a minute - I'm going to see if I can give those ladies a hand." Music to our ears! Evidently the choke only needs to be out the very first time you start an outboard motor. We had tried it both ways with no luck but it started for him on the second pull! We waved as he went back up the trail and Diane proceeded to get us out of the slip with an unique three point turn technique.

Once we had made our 90 degree turn we proceeded to putt slowly but steadily towards the opposite shore. "Watch your head." Sis says coolly as she drives us beneath the huge, spanish moss covered tree branch directly across the river from the interpretive site and runs us up on the bank. I have to admit I don't know what Diane was doing with the engine... I was fixated on the bank coming closer and closer - and crouching down so I wasn't knocked out of the boat by the branch! After bumping the bank the sound of the engine changed and the skiff backed slowly out from beneath the spanish moss shrouded branch.

"Well, now I know you have to HOLD the lever when you want to go in reverse." Capt. Dee said as we began our trip down river. My offer to 'drive' was declined so I continued in my role as photographer snapping pictures of the osprey, turtles, a fishermen with his Tarpin, panama trees, and the alligator that swam by!

Our trip ran a little longer than the hour and a half that is given for the trip... other then our starting challenges the only delays we experienced was when we chopped up some salad for the fish in one area while navigating to get a good picture of the big green turtles on a log! Although a passing kayaker offered to give us a push out of the clump of water vegetation Capt. Dee had us backed up and in the main channel before they were finished making the offer. She's got that gig down!

We opted for the morning tour because they said it would be the best time to see the most wildlife but we definately saw more on our way back to the park dock. We also came across alot of other boaters! They were coming up river in kayaks, canoes, and skiffs! It became absolutally congested when the big River Queen came around the bend towards us with the 11 o'clock tour group. As they passed the Captain announced to the passengers, " And there are our first timers!" I think he was relieved to find us on our way back!

The tide had gone out when we pulled back into the park slip so it was great that a young man was there to aide us in tieing the skiff on and climb up onto the dock. We turned in our life vests and the key to the tempermental outboard motor feeling very pleased with our self guided tour!

Diane put the top down on the little Dodge Shadow and we headed home with the wind in our hair and smiles on our faces feeling closer to sixteen then sixty!

We made one more stop while in the park which we were tickled that we did when we got to see 10 baby alligators with two adults. At the same gator viewing spot in the park that Jack and I had seen our first alligator in the wild a couple of weeks ago Diane pulled over and we walked to the spot were I'd taken my pictures that day. It looked like the exact same very-dark alligator was there (how could one be sure?) but this time there were baby alligators on the bank and in the water around her. With there being more water than before the second alligator was able to lie nearly completely submerged wit only eyes, nostrils and the top of his head showing. A fellow photographer said there were 11 babies but Diane and I could only find 10!

So went our day at the Loxahatchee River! Sharing adventures with your sister can be even more fun at 50+ than when kids!

Whew! I just made our reservation at Watchman Campground at Zion National Park for our stay there to attend Brett and Maya's wedding on Memorial Day Weekend 2010 and I got the LAST RV spot available!

Here I am organizing the housing for the wedding party and I almost missed the window to stay where I wanted to! Isn't that ironic!

We enjoyed a bright sunny day at the Vero Beach Museum of Art with Jim and Sue Tews a couple of days before Christmas and a comfortable Christmas with Diane and Keith. I'm really enjoying the time Diane and I have to chat! I'm sure Jack and Keith think it is endlessly but we do spend some time quietly. Like right now while we are both computing! :-)

Tomorrow Diane and I are setting out bright and early for the Loxahatchee River tour at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Jack and Keith opted not to go so it will just be us girls.

Diane and Keith's plans for January took a turn that has them returning to Coos Bay January 9th so Jack and I have changed our reservations and will be returning to Oregon that day too. We are looking forward to seeing our puppies, friends and our new floor! I am sorry that the time with Sis has been cut short.

We'll just have to make the best use of the time!

Key West and Back in a Day and a half!

We had promised ourselves we'd get down to Key West while we were here this time. Sue and Jim Tews furnished with the name of a place to stay that was simple, centrally located and very affordable so we made a reservation and away we went! We'd been warned that since we don't drink Key West wouldn't hold much for us once we'd seen the sights so we only reserved one night.

After a bueatiful, hassle free drive down the Florida Turnpike to Homestead and then US 1 over all 42 bridges through the keys we tossed our bags in our room and headed one block over to Duval street. It was four o'clock and we wanted to be sure to make it to the Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square on the other side of town.

It turned out the trolley is a tour ... not a trolley like San Fransisco... so we hired a pedi-cab to take us the 1 1/2 miles to the square. Jack's gout had subsided but we didn't want to push it by walking both ways. We got there in plenty of time for a quick walk about the square (which was just beginning to fill up with the various vendors and entertainment acts and a few people sitting on the walls waiting for the sunset) and dinner. We decided to try Cuban since neither of us had ever eaten any.

Pepe's was right there so we had a seat. Cuban food is not spicy like we assumed it would be. It was tasty but not spicy. Jack got a pork dish and I thought I ordered something like chille relleno's but I got tart-like cups made of fried plantains filled with different meats and one with seafood. All good - just different from what I expected!

We strolled through a sculpture garden and then back to Mallory Square in time for the sunset...such as it was. The sky had clouded over and we didn't get the spectacular sunset so often shown but what we had was the sunset on the day Jack and I went to Key West so it was great for us!

There was a lot going on in the square - a guy getting out of a straight jacket, a belly dancer, jugglers with fire sticks, a one-man band (which was really good!) and several booths selling jewelry, blown glass, balloons and trinkets.

Ice cream was our main interest and we'd seen several on our way down so we took our leave of the festival at Mallory Square and began our stroll down Duval Street. We didn't really plan on walking all the way back to our motel on South Street but we did! We window shopped, enjoyed listening to the different music from the different bars on each block, checked the ice cream shops for bubble guy ice cream (Jack's favorite) and pretty soon we were only 5 blocks away! We settled on soft ice cream cones about half way and that made the muggy heat more bearible.

Once back at the motel we were sweaty and ready for the pool! It was only 6:30 pm but pretty dark so we got to enjoy a moonlight swim before retiring for the night.

We got up at the first sign of light - about 7:am - jumped in our swimsuits and headed to the Rainbow Pier to go snorkeling. We'd asked a young man at the tiny beach at the East end of Duval Street where we could find the best snorkeling and he told us to go to a pier off Reynolds Street and snorkel around the pilings from the old pier. The locals ALWAYS know the good stuff! The beach was only about 5 blocks from the Spanish Garden Motel on Simonson and South that we were staying at so we made it to the beach for sunrise!

It was bueatiful! The sunrise, the snorkeling, the birds, the water. Jack and I swam the length of the old pier and we saw more fish than ever before. I took some photo's that I've posted to facebook, if you want to see them and the ones from the rest of our trip. I just put a few here.

After our early morning snorkeling Jack and I packed up our bags and hit US 1 going North. We took the East coast route off of Key West to see the other shore (we drove in on the West shore route). We saw the all three of the beaches Key West has to offer that way.

The drive back to the main land was great. We didn't see any of the horrific traffic everyone always refers to but then we were traveling on Wednesday and Thursday... not peak days!

The next stop on our road trip was The Everglades National Park that lies to the West of Miami. We lost the blue skies as we neared Homestead and kept hoping the rain would hold off for us to get to do an airboat ride! Frommer's Florida recommended Gator Park as the best for the money when taking an airboat ride so we headed directly there.

The rain held off until after our airboat ride...almost...a little rain but nothing like what followed later and it was warm as always. The tour included a alligator "wrestling" show too and the opportunity to hold an alligator. We learned a lot about alligators and saw a number out in the everglades and more at the park! The show was really a demonstration of how the Indians used to capture alligators live not a wrestling match! And as you see I did it- I held a 3 yr old alligator! He was actually soft and warm!

The ride up the turnpike to Vero Beach was long and difficult. Blinding rain squalls passed over us off and on the entire time. It was good that we had decided not to stay an extra day in Key West or outside of Miami! I'm hearing all kinds of reports on problems on the highways due to the rain. We pulled in here about 6:30 pm and it has been raining hard since!

All in all our whirlwind trip held a lot of fun and will be the source of good memories!

Just a quick update...once again it is late and I have a writing assignment to get done BUT I wanted to post these pictures and update everyone on our activities before they are old news.

As usual, getting the pictures in order is a pain so I'll leave them as they are and you can read the captions ---

The chronicalogical order of things

December 1 --- Beach combing for shells at Treasure State Park, Vero Beach area

December 2,3 --Arts and crafts days...all my friends got a "specail" christmas card cuz Sharen had time on her hands!

2nd weekend in December - We drove North to Fort Christmas to participate in their Christmas festival - on Friday- and the vendors were just setting up - in the pouring rain. The festival is on Saturday and Sunday... typo in the newspaper...The goal was to have our Christmas cards hand stamped from Fort Christmas and we were still able to get that done and we saw the restored Fort Christmas so the 90 minute drive was not fruitless just very, very wet! Think rainstorms on I-5 in Albany! Traffic stopping intensity at times!

December 9th - drove 50 miles South to Jonathan Dickinson State Park. U.S. 1 is not the fast way to get to Hobe Sound from Vero Beach... incase you ever need to know. We reached the park about 1 pm on the hottest day ever recorded in December in Florida. The Educational Center was great (and air conditioned) and the rangers were very friendly.

Since we didn't have a CD player normally furnished for doing the auto tour they dug around until the found a printed booklet for us! I came out of the center loaded with phamplets and a Florida State Campgrounds book that is a treasure! We drove the route and got out of the vehicle for wildlife (3 turtles and an alligator) and to climb Hobe Mountain but passed on the other hikes - it was just too hot.

BUT I will be going back to go on the Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River 2 hour guided boat tour to the Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site. The ranger gave me the scoop on the best time to go and gave me the direct line to call and find out when that would be for the day I come down. The Loxahatchee River was the very river designated as wild and scenic. Alas, there is no white water involved but considering the type and number of intimidating wet residents I'm ok with that. A 27 passenger pontoon boat takes you up river through the swamp to the Wildman of the Loxahatchee compound ... WHO could pass on that? I am hoping Diane and Keith will feel enthused about driving down and doing it with Jack and I.

December 11 - Today! We drove East to Lake Okeechobee to visit Jim and Sue Tews at their place. They drove to Vero Beach last Feb when we were here so we went to them this time. Central Florida is very much like Fort Klamath area... lots of ranches and cows but not much else. Sue made us a great pork roast meal in a state of the art piece of kitchen gagetry that didn't heat up the motorhome one bit! They have created a great spot with waterfront property on two sides! Lake Okeechobee is behind them and their patio boarders a "little" lake. We watched Sandhill Cranes, Ibis and a couple other birds I don't know the names of as we sat on the patio and visited. As always the time went to quick and we needed to head back to Vero Beach long before we ran out of conversation! The day was as grey skied as the past 5 days have been but going to dinner with friends made it brighter!

I loaded all the pictures from Fort Christmas and Jonathan State Park on my facebook so go there if you want to check them out! So much for a quick update!

I hope everyone is enjoying the season!

WE HAD FUN on our Eastern Caribbean Cruise!

This was our second time on the Carnival Glory so we got a GOLD sail and sign card! We also went to a special afternoon gathering for repeat cruisers where they served great snacks and all you could drink for the 45 minute social! The fruit juice was good in addition to the diet Coke! We certainly didn't break their budget on what we consumed! There was a cute contest and we got to hear the Captain speak.... a nice little perk altogether.

Time went quickly and even with 3 days at sea we didn't get to do many of the activities available. Our dinner time was 8:15 pm so that was usually the last thing Jack did each day! We had such a great group of people at our table that ours was the last to leave the diningroom each night - never before 10:15 pm! I went to most of the productions afterward after seeing Jack back to our room. The live music, dancing and comedy was very entertaining! Each day in port, whatever port we were at, we shopped! I now have some more trinkets and a few very nice pieces of jewelry!

In Nassau we rented scooters and zipped up and down West Bay Street which follows the coast line--- driving on the left side of the road was the only real challenge! I had a blast... Jack swore I was trying to get us killed but I don't think he was serious. The drivers did tend to just pass us like we weren't really there. I was going the speed limit because my front tire wobbled if I went over 40 mph. The woman said she'd give me a nice lady's scooter... Jack left me in the dust a couple of times... his didn't have a wobble. We went to the Ardastra Gardens Zoo because we were lost and saw the sign. In the parking lot we took out the map the scooter rental gave us and got our barrings again. The guard there gave us some directions to Fort Charlotte and then stood by exclaiming "Oh dear" "Oh dear" as I repeatedly tryed to get my scooter to start again. The fourth try was sucessful and I happily waved good bye and headed away from his pesimistic cloud. Jack followed. After Fort Charlotte we just enjoyed putt-putting around and taking in the beautiful beaches, lush vegetation and many, many vacation homes. We got to watch a couple of minutes of cricket also!

Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas was very full as there were three cruise ships in port! Our shore excursion there was 2 hrs shopping followed by 2 hrs at Megan's Bay beach after returning us to the ship to drop off our purchases. The "taxi" ride up and over the ridge that seperates the island into the Caribbean side and Atlantic side was like a wild mouse ride at a carnival! The roads were very narrow with hairpin turns both up and down! I was glad I was still wearing my sea bands! The water at Megan's beach was wonderful and the sand as white and soft as it is always described. We had two of the best sirloin burgers I've ever had at the beach reasturant and then enjoyed the water!

Our third port was Philipsburg on St. Maarten. I'd found a restored plantation on the internet for us to explore while we were on St. Maarten. The beach excursions to Orient Beach all warned that nudity was common and Jack and I agreed we hadn't been faithful enough to diet or gym to be participating in public viewings and there weren't any other excursions offered by the ship that peaked our interest. Unfortunately, due to water damage created by recent heavy rains the Mr. Vernon Plantation was closed. But before we learned that we boarded a van "taxi" that was bound for Orient Beach. I showed the driver where we wanted to go and she said she'd take us there after dropping off the other 9 passengers. So we did go to Orient Beach and were there long enough for me to be able to verify that people were indeed totally nude. Our little jaunt around the island... which we saw two thirds of during our ride... cost us $40. Our driver was a very outspoken woman and she shared her views on marriage, promiscuity, children, education, dating and divorce during our ride which was very enlightening. Some things are the same all over the world! Leaving our lady driver behind Jack and I opted to take the water taxi to Philipsburg to do some more shopping!

Town was simple to navigate... there is the Boardwalk, Front Street, Back Street and Old Street that connects them all! We got our coffee cups and a few christmas gifts and were ready to return to the ship and relax!

We set sail at six and enjoyed two days at sea during which I mainly slept and read. Jack enjoyed rambling about the ship and snacking as the mood struck him. I had a rotten head cold so I stayed pretty much in one place...bed in our cabin. The heat and humidity agrievated my sinus condition so I stayed indoors. I enjoyed my rest though! Our last night at dinner we exchanged information with our table partners and agreed to met at Oscars for bluegrass music in Sebastian this coming Sunday at 2 pm. Four of our companions are from other small towns within an hour of Sebastian! The third couple are from Canada and had to return to jobs so they had to pass! Casey and Shanta have invited Jack and I to Winterhaven for a canoe trip down the Walk-in-the-Water Creek to see authentic Florida (undeveloped and ungroomed) and we will be taking them up on their offer!

It was a great seven days during which time we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary and Thanksgiving! We are really blessed!

Time is passing quickly! We've already been home from our Eastern Caribbean Cruise for 3 days! As usual I came home sick! It was only a head cold this time thank goodness. Now Jack is hacking away and feeling miserable. We've made a little headway on decorating for Christmas since our return but that's about all.

The islands were are lush and full of tourists! There were three cruise ships in port everywhere we went so tourists are not rare in Nassau, St. Thomas or Sint Maarten!

I loaded the pictures and worked on them for a bit this evening. I'll finish tomorrow and post some pictures!

Here's wishing all those in my life a great holiday season!

Another beautiful sight! The floors are done!