January 24, 2014 - Alaska Planning Meeting #1(Mission, TX)

 

We decided to have our 1st planning meeting for our trip to Alaska.

I decided to make crab quiche for our brunch meeting. This was the 1st time I made this and I have to say it turned out to be very good. The recipe was to serve 4 and we ate it all. (Sorry forgot to take a picture)

Jesse had mapped out a route on Map Quest previously. After some discussion we decided to use that for now so he emailed it to us.

Now we can look up decided what we want to see at each stop. We all decided that it was a good productive meeting.

Our next meeting was an impromptu meeting while we were in Kerrville, TX. We talked about the foods we would prepare to eat and decided that most meals would be prepared for 4. The freedom to eat together or in our own homes will be decided as it happens.

Janet make the list and copied for both of us.

Sounds like we have the route done and the food planned.

January 10th -18th - The Princess Cruise (Part 1)

 

We have been planning the cruise for about 9 months. The gang was very excited and we had a great time. 

Jesse and I were not impressed with the cruise line for many reasons. The ship was old and not glamorous. The food was nothing special and very bland. There were no special displays of ice sculptures or food carvings. The activities on ship were not geared for the young, so there was no water slides, rock wall, wave pools or movie theater.

Don’t misunderstand me, I enjoyed the cruise. The staff was very nice and helpful. What made to trip the most enjoyable was the group we were with. Fun, Fun Fun! 

We were not able to get on the ship until around 7pm. They were late docking because of fog and then they had to disinfect the ship because of an out break of gastrointestinal illness among passengers, caused by Norovirus.  So we all went out to lunch in Houston at a place called

Once on board the ship we found our room

After we met at our muster stations and got our emergency rules

Then we went to dinner

Our 1st day we were on the ship all day, so we walked around getting our bearings.

It was our 1st dress up night for dinner and champagne fountain.

We all clean-up pretty good! Unfortunately Chuck was not feeling well and decided not to join us for dinner.

Our first stop was in Roatan, Honduras. We were tendered to Maya Key Island. They had a nice beach and an animal sanctuary.

After we were returned to the ship dock we stopped to have another drink and this is what happened.

More to come later.

Friday, December 26, - Since last post (Mission, TX)

 

What have we been up to since the last post?

Well our bikes were in bad shape so I had to make a couple of trips to the bike shop at the DonWes flea market. I needed to replace my front rim that I crunched between the truck and 5th wheel and Ginger’s bike needed some spokes and a rear brake cable. All are in decent working order now.

On Friday the 20th, Ed and Marilyn came over. We had a drink together then went to dinner at Cheddar’s.

Then drove to Hidalgo to see the 3 miles of Christmas lights the town puts on display every December. A very nice display especially for such a small community.Here’s a sample of what we saw:

 

 

On Christmas day Ed and Marilyn came over for a shared dinner. Not sure who did what but between Marilyn and Ginger we had quite a feast.

 

Boys and their gifts

Joyce and Roger were also originally included in our day, but Roger is in the hospital recovering from some extensive surgery. He has a long road ahead of him and we wish him well and ask for your prayers.

In between we managed to get the Boys groomed. Now they look presentable again.

Also I washed and waxed the truck aka the “Red Flyer”.

The weather has been really nice. Warm days in the 70’s or above and cool nights but on Christmas night the rains moved in and it has not stopped raining since.

Mike and Marion return today from their month long visit to their family in the Dallas area and Bob and Janet will be here in 7 or 8 days from their work camping stint at Amazon.com and a short visit to family in Monroe City MO.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

New Years Eve day Ed and Marilyn, Mike and Marion, Chuck and Coletta, and Ginger and I will be going to South Padre Island for some seafood, cocktails, and driving on the beach.

And in 2 weeks all 10 of us, known as the Misfits, will be heading to Houston for a 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean.