We're Still Grinnin'

What an awesome time we had cruising on Royal Caribbean's beautiful ship Rhapsody of the Seas— seven-night adventure starting in Galveston, Texas. After a full evening and day "at sea" our first stop was Key West, Florida where the warm weather and high humidity set the pace for the temperatures for the rest of the week. After just a few hours in Key West we headed south to Georgetown in the Grand Caymen Islands where the water was so clear and a gorgeous brilliant aqua blue in color. We disembarked the ship and scurried into town to look for treasures and margaritas. After walking around the town, the humidity along with the heat encouraged us to get back to the air conditioned ship. The next day was again spent at sea to get over to Cozumel, Mexico. Our big plans for the day in Cozumel was to venture out to go snorkeling. Jacque Crusteau discovered these beautiful waters to be some of the best waters for scuba diving and snorkeling, and he was right. We were all excited about going and we spent a couple hours swimming in the warm, crystal clear waters enjoying the various colorful fishes—it just seems like a whole other world under the ocean. Another day at sea took us back to Galveston where the cruise ended but we vowed to do it again. We liked the Rhapsody much more than the Monarch. It's a newer ship and the staterooms were just enough larger to make a big difference—after all we are used to confined living conditions. The service was fabulous. The activities and evening shows were outstanding. The food was beautiful in presentation and sensational in taste. Cecile and I enjoyed a morning in the Spa where we both had a facial, a foot massage, a head-neck-and-shoulder massage, and an eye treatment to get rid of bags and dark circles! We shopped 'til we dropped - our purchases being mainly T-shirts and jewelry. I won a raffle and my prize was a 21" gold chain of my choice! We played lots of Bingo swearing never to do it again because none of us won a dime! We all got to read a book while relaxing on deck—something we all decided to make more time in our routine to do. We used the hot tubs and then cooled off in the pools. We loved the Reggae music each evening around the pool while often sipping on the "Drink of the Day" --- one of those rum and juice concoctions that tastes like an exoctic punch.

We disembarked the ship for the final time in Galveston at 9 a.m. Our plane took off from Houston and got us to LAX by 8:30 p.m. - after getting all our luggage, arranging for the shuttle to take us to the parking garage and driving to Simi Valley to stay with Jen and gabbing about the trip - we were pretty wound up as you can imagine - it was great to get to bed around midnight. We were all up pretty early so we could see the grandkids off to school, had coffee and even played a couple games of Pegs and Jokers with the four of us plus P and J. We arrived home this afternoon and we're still grinning.

We are so thankful that we're able to do this with our good friends, Gary and Cecile. We have lots of plans for future times together.

It all started by waking up at 2 a.m. to drive to LAX to catch a plane. We spent one night in Houston (via Denver) to catch up on some sleep. And, of course, we don't go anywhere without a few games of Pegs and Jokers.

The first thing to do after boarding the ship is to report to our "Muster Station" where they account for all passengers before they can actually set sail.

I was in awe of the beautifully created centerpieces at the buffet counters. Sure makes me want to try my hand at carving a watermelon!

So nice to have the time in a "At Sea" day to just kick back and read a good book.

One of our rare shots taking in the entire ship. May times we were joined by other cruise ships most of which dwarfed the Rhapsody.

Beautiful Key West, Florida taken from the ship as we were docking. Amazing how they can maneuver these big ships sideways — or sometimes it seemed like we spun around on a dime to get our of a tight spot!

Walking back to the ship after an afternoon on the town. We'd always head back for lunch since we'd have already paid for THAT food!

This picture was taken at sunset in Key West from the window in the dining room where we were getting ready to enjoy a nice dinner. The people in the sail boat were enjoying the Sunset Wine Tasting excursion.

Here we are all dressed up for the Captain's reception before one of the two "dress-up" dinners.

Coming back to the ship in Key West.

I love this picture of my husband relaxing on a cruise ship—something he used to think he wouldn't enjoy!

Leaving Georgetown, Grand Caymen Islands

Shopping in Cozumel after a day of snorkeling.

Our last night of the cruise, in beautiful Cozumel.

And here are our travel-buddies, the ones responsible for getting us hooked on the idea of cruising—Gary and Cecile—enjoying lunch at Joe's Crab Shack in Houston, after the full week at sea enjoying the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Life is Good!

Stagecoach Days at Park Sierra

Hip hip hooray—Stagecoach Days 2007 has come and gone. For the last six months we've been planning for and organizing a team to help us pull off a fantastic event for Park Sierra. Well, we did it and are very happy with its success . . . both financially and by the smiles on the participant's faces it seems that all had a great weekend. Here are some pictures depicting some of the fun things offered to those who came to Park Sierra to have a good time.

I wore this hat whenever I was at the mic so that folks would recognize me should they need anything during the event. Of course it served its purpose and it was fun to wear. Some even thought I should auction it off!

Thursday night, after having to relocate our "Supper Around the Campfire" inside to the Clubhouse because of high winds, we had a great songfest put on by our friend Ed, who we met up at Winchester Bay last summer. He and a couple of his friends came and played for nearly two hours . . . every type of music from blue grass to country to 50s to rock and roll. Amazing talent between them. And they came on a volunteer basis just because they enjoy music. We passed a can among the audience and were able to give them nearly $400 when they left.

We offered three "Make-It-Take-It" workshops. Pictured here is the Beaded Shirt class. Our friend, Cecile, taught a couple of the classes—this one being one of them. We all had a great time and after the two-hour class some of us were able to finish our shirts.

Friday morning between breakfast and lunch we had a Craft Faire for members and guests to sell their wares. Anybody recognize this customer?

Through out the weekend hayrides (an enclosed "wagon" with haybales) were offered to tour the park and were narrated by our friend Cecile. She told of the building of the park 18 years ago, and of the earlier indian history of the Coarsegold area as the wagon made its way up and down the hills.

One of my personal favorites of the weekend was a dutch-oven cooking demonstration put on by a couple who are on the waiting list. She started off by baking cinnamon rolls, followed by sour dough bread, a chicken-rice dish, lasagna, chile relleno casserole, bread pudding, and mixed berry crisp . . . all, of course, in separate pots . . . at the same two-hour period of time. And after a taste of each, nobody had to go home for lunch before the next event! Each dish was incredibly delicious. So now we're excited about trying it out up in Oregon this summer.

We had to move this event to the pole barn due to weather, but it worked out just fine. Nearly 50 folks enjoyed the food and learned a lot about dutch oven cooking.

Everybody was fascinated by the way the instructor hoisted those heavy pots and lids with ease and without burning herself—she made it look so easy!

Here you can see five dutch ovens going at the same time. Stacked so that the one on the bottom is left alone, while the one on top may need more attention as it cooks. The timing was carefully planned so they all were done at the same time!

Nothing better than freshly baked sour dough bread.

A small portion of each was quite satisfying . . . we all anxiously watched and waited and watched until they were ready to serve.

We held an auction - selling various items donated by members. We were able to raise over $2,000, with the help of a great auctioneer—a member of the park!

Friday night we hosted a "Home-Grown-Entertainment" evening with dessert and raffle drawings following. The Merry Music Makers performed, and the drama group put on a melodrama. And then on Saturday night we were entertained by a local blue grass band "Boys in the Woods." I messed up by leaving my camera home so I don't have any pictures, but they were FABULOUS and gave us a great two-hour concert. Standing ovation . . . they were a big hit!

All during the weekend we raffled off nearly 60 items collected from local businesses. We collected nearly $2500 worth of prizes and raised close to $1800. Lots of great prizes were presented to the winners.

A lot of work but, all in all, we are quite please everything went so well. Now we look forward to going on a cruise with Gary and Cecile, before we head up to Oregon for the summer.

Life is good!