It's Thursday morning and we find ourselves in Belize - another location that we know well from our past diving trips. Susan spent the day relaxing on the ship while I went off to walk around the old town with some of our friends. Once we got past all of the pier shops (with free tastings of local spirits offered everywhere) and worked our way outside the 'tourist wall', we explored some of the old town and looked at the wide variety of local arts and crafts on display everywhere. Fortunately, none of us are collectors, so all we did was look. The weather was warm, the beer was cold and it was an enjoyable day with friends. Life is good!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Belize
It's Thursday morning and we find ourselves in Belize - another location that we know well from our past diving trips. Susan spent the day relaxing on the ship while I went off to walk around the old town with some of our friends. Once we got past all of the pier shops (with free tastings of local spirits offered everywhere) and worked our way outside the 'tourist wall', we explored some of the old town and looked at the wide variety of local arts and crafts on display everywhere. Fortunately, none of us are collectors, so all we did was look. The weather was warm, the beer was cold and it was an enjoyable day with friends. Life is good!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Roatan
Around noon on Wednesday, we docked on the Island of Roatan at a little 'town' called Mahogany Bay (e.g. a community of shops built by Carnival that mainly sold the same old touristy stuff that they sold on the ship). We took an island tour that took us to beautiful Carambola Gardens where we viewed a lot of the local flora and even watched a group
of worker ants walking along carrying bits of leaves. Our next stop was the Roatan Butterfly Garden where we saw some colorful butterflies and exotic birds. We even got to hold some of the birds. Our tour ended with a stop at the little town of West End where the roads were so muddy that we spent our shopping time at a bar on the end of a pier sipping the usual 'beverage of choice' and watching a local band with native dancers perform. Quite nice.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Grand Cayman
On Tuesday morning, we arrived on the island of Grand Cayman. Susan and I have been here many times before when I was active in scuba diving, so we decided to just spend the day casually walking around George Town while our friends took various tours of the island. One of our stops was Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville where I finally found a nice "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" sign and then we enjoyed a cool 'beverages of choice' at the upstairs bar overlooking the bay. Susan found a nice little Wedgwood bowl that she just couldn't live without, so that made it a successful day of shopping.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Let the Cruising Begin!
On Saturday, 1/9, we left cold Raleigh (about 17 degrees) and drove down to Miami with our friends, Tom & Carole, to board the Carnival Valor for a week-long cruise in the Caribbean. When we arrived in Miami on Sunday, the temperature was a balmy 37 degrees! What ever happened to all the warmth? We met up with the three other couples in our group (all RVing friends) at the terminal and proceeded to board the ship. We left the dock at 5:00 pm and waved goodbye to Miami from our balcony. Monday was spent cruising the waters North of Cuba and enjoying temperatures in the low 70's around the pool and hot tubs.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Raleigh Christmas Parade
I spent this morning in downtown Raleigh. I met with about 20 other folks at Raleigh Segway (located in City Market) where we all donned our Santa hats and boarded Segways all spiffed up with bows, bells, ribbons, gift boxes, and other assorted embellishments to participate in the south's largest Christmas parade. We glided (e.g. slang for riding a Segway) to the parade assembly area where we awaited our turn in the parade. Finally, we were off - sandwiched in between a school band and a horse-drawn stagecoach. What a hoot it was gliding down the street in our planned serpentine motion, occasionally stopping to do quick 360s or other stunts, all the time waving to the crowds of kids and adults and exchanging Christmas greetings. We were even featured on the local TV station's coverage of the parade. All to soon, it was over. What a fun experience! Happy Holidays to one and all!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Redwood City, CA
On Friday, we drove to Palo Alto to attend the Friday evening reunion dinner party, the first of the planned activities for the Sequoia High School 50th Reunion. It has been 10 years since the last reunion and it was so nice to see so many of my old classmates again.
On Saturday morning, a bunch of us took a walking tour of downtown Redwood City (where I was born and raised). As we toured the area, we reminisced about the stores that were there 50 years ago and about some of the more interesting things that we did back then. We paused for a group picture in front of the old county courthouse. 
After the tour, we visited the Sequoia HS Memorial Gardens where a Sequoia Tree and plaque were planted/placed by my sister and me several years ago to honor our mother (Class of 1937) and grandmother (Class of 1914) - yes, Sequoia HS has been around for a long time! Then we drove around the area, visited our family homes, Susan's high school (Carlmont - one of Sequoia's rivals ;-) ) and paid our respects to Susan's parents. That evening, we attended the formal reunion dinner with over 250 classmates in attendance!
On Sunday morning, we went on a guided tour of the Sequoia High School campus, then wandered around the "Horses to Horsepower" car show held on campus annually (several cars were owned by my classmates). We then went back to my family home (which my parents bought in 1945 and lived in for over 56 years) and found the current owners at home. They graciously invited us in and showed us the nice renovations they have done to the house.
On Monday, we spent the day in Pleasanton, CA with Susan's cousins, Paul & Michael and Paul's wife, Kathy. Paul is into woodcarving and showed us some of his award winning work. Lots of reminiscing and a delicious lunch filled the day.
On Tuesday, we decided to take a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. Our first stop was the Pulgas Water Temple that denotes where the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct terminates into the San Francisco water reservoir known as Crystal Springs. Then we visited Half Moon Bay and drove south to Santa Cruz with numerous stops along the way to visit such sites as Pescadero and the Pigeon Point Light Station. What beauty! After a late lunch in Santa Cruz, we headed back to pack for tomorrow's flight home. All good things must come to an end...
On Saturday morning, a bunch of us took a walking tour of downtown Redwood City (where I was born and raised). As we toured the area, we reminisced about the stores that were there 50 years ago and about some of the more interesting things that we did back then. We paused for a group picture in front of the old county courthouse. 
After the tour, we visited the Sequoia HS Memorial Gardens where a Sequoia Tree and plaque were planted/placed by my sister and me several years ago to honor our mother (Class of 1937) and grandmother (Class of 1914) - yes, Sequoia HS has been around for a long time! Then we drove around the area, visited our family homes, Susan's high school (Carlmont - one of Sequoia's rivals ;-) ) and paid our respects to Susan's parents. That evening, we attended the formal reunion dinner with over 250 classmates in attendance!
On Sunday morning, we went on a guided tour of the Sequoia High School campus, then wandered around the "Horses to Horsepower" car show held on campus annually (several cars were owned by my classmates). We then went back to my family home (which my parents bought in 1945 and lived in for over 56 years) and found the current owners at home. They graciously invited us in and showed us the nice renovations they have done to the house.On Monday, we spent the day in Pleasanton, CA with Susan's cousins, Paul & Michael and Paul's wife, Kathy. Paul is into woodcarving and showed us some of his award winning work. Lots of reminiscing and a delicious lunch filled the day.
On Tuesday, we decided to take a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. Our first stop was the Pulgas Water Temple that denotes where the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct terminates into the San Francisco water reservoir known as Crystal Springs. Then we visited Half Moon Bay and drove south to Santa Cruz with numerous stops along the way to visit such sites as Pescadero and the Pigeon Point Light Station. What beauty! After a late lunch in Santa Cruz, we headed back to pack for tomorrow's flight home. All good things must come to an end...
Friday, October 2, 2009
Sacramento, CA
You may be wondering how we got to California without any blog entries along the way. Well, we didn't drive the RV. . .we flew out on Tuesday, 9/29. This coming weekend is my high school class' 50th reunion on the San Francisco Peninsula. 
Before we go there though, we're spending a few days visiting with my sister, Pat, and her partner, Keith, who are both talented artists. We enjoyed seeing their studio in the downtown Sacramento area, consuming good food and all that goes with it. We also had an interesting experience while visiting one of the local stores. While talking with the sales lady, I mentioned the reunion and her eyes lit up. She asked me to wait a minute while she got the store's owner. Come to find out that she was a classmate of mine and was also going to the reunion. Small world indeed! We left Friday to drive to the reunion.
Before we go there though, we're spending a few days visiting with my sister, Pat, and her partner, Keith, who are both talented artists. We enjoyed seeing their studio in the downtown Sacramento area, consuming good food and all that goes with it. We also had an interesting experience while visiting one of the local stores. While talking with the sales lady, I mentioned the reunion and her eyes lit up. She asked me to wait a minute while she got the store's owner. Come to find out that she was a classmate of mine and was also going to the reunion. Small world indeed! We left Friday to drive to the reunion.
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