Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Sunshine


So gather round and listen to the story.  We booked our Caribbean Cruise ( Costa Maya, Roatan and Cozumel) aboard the NCL Mega ship Epic over a year ago.  The excuse was that it was to celebrate my 60th Birthday and also our 20th Anniversary (which isn't until September).  We have never had a winter vacation and we thought it was about time to try one ;)

In November I decided that since the cruise left from Miami on Saturday we should plan to leave here a couple of days early and enjoy Florida for 2 days. Just in case of weather, you know. And since we were going to spend 2 days we should leave on a 6:40 flight so that we would actually have 2 days to enjoy. Most of you know I have never been to Florida and have avoided it like the plague due to some silly story I read in the 4th grade.  So, since we were flying into Fort Lauderdale I found a cute little Inn in Hollywood Beach right on the beach for Thursday and Friday.


We haven't had a bad winter here in years. Enter the big, bad winter of 2011.  First there was the Christmas weekend blizzard followed closely by mega snow (and sometimes ice) storms twice a week.  I am not much of a worrier, but the closer the trip got the closer I followed the weather.  Sure enough a storm was predicted from Tuesday (2/1) AM to last thru the wee hours of the 3rd.  The day we were to leave, one of the days that was supposed to be expendable.  I was no longer viewing those two days as mere cyphers filling a void, but as valid vacation in the sun days.   Southwest offered a one time chance to rebook due to so much storminess.  I hemmed, I hawed, I chewed my nails and finally I took the plunge and rebooked for Friday AM, early...very early.  I figured it was better to be on a confirmed flight than on standby from a canceled flight.

The storm ended early...how very nervy....late Wednesday afternoon.  I vowed I would not check the Southwest website on Thursday AM, after all all the planes must be "sleeping" somewhere where the weather had not been crazy. Certainly none would be hanging around in Providence.  Guess what?  My original flight left right on time Thursday morning while I slept ;(.



Everything was packed and ready Thursday night with just a list of those last minute items...toothbrushes, hairbrush, curling iron, makeup...you know that stuff, right.  Alarm clock set for 4:00, right Bob?  We went to bed, I woke up at 2:37 and tossed for a while.  I heard the clock downstairs strike 2:45 and then 3:00.  Then nothing.  Perhaps I had dozed off??  I looked at the clock...WTH it was 5:10.  We were out of the house in 12 minutes...no shower, no makeup and NO COFFEE.  We got to the airport with 26 minutes til flight time and then there was a very long check in line.  Then they told us our luggage probably wouldn't make it on our flight ( if we made it on our flight).  I mumbled something about a Nudist Cruise.  But, we made it and our luggage made it and the Inn was just a half block from the most glorious beach and broadwalk( as opposed to boardwalk) that I ever could have imagined. And the cruise was glorious and now we are back to filthy, crusty snow and eating inside.  But ahh, it was glorious while it lasted and I can tell you....Florida has not seen the last of me :-)





These are pictures from Florida, minus the muscle cars etc.  I will post pictures from Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel when Bob has them processed and available.

Later,
Janet

12 comments:

  1. Whew! As I was reading your blog, I thought Oh NO! Please don't miss your plane/crusie.....

    So glad it all turned out. Next time you head to Florida, let me suggest Naples on the West coast. I can give you tons of info. I lived there for 20 years and go there every year even now....
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  2. Janet,
    I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip....in spite of the initial excitement!
    Looking forward to more details and pictures!

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  3. You're back - hurray! You are such a good storyteller - really had me going, was certain you had missed the beginning of the trip. So glad it turned out perfectly and am simply absorbed in the photos imagining the warmth of the sand and sun...ahhh.

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  4. Love your story...next best thing to being there....keep it coming!

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  5. SOOOO glad it went well despite the stressful race to the ol' airport. these are beautiful photos. you have great trips ahead and i look forward to seeing all the recent snaps, as well as those resulting from future trips. WHO KNEW?jkj

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  6. Great photographs on the beach! May you had a great time there.

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  7. Going to the beach is very exciting! The weather looks great and I like your shots!

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  8. OMG - that was a rough start to your trip, amazing that you and the bags made it! I could never get out of my house in 12 mins., you'll have to give lessons on that amazing getaway Janet! I'd better set extra alarm clocks for Fri. when a have an early flight to the West coast!

    Photos look great, looking forward to seeing more of Bob's images - glad Florida was more than expected, just wish I could like it but sorry, too tropical for me!

    Mary and Bob XX

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  9. Can you hear me breathing a sigh of relief?
    The cruise we took in 2002 left out of Florida, and I loved it too. My favorite however...KEY WEST!
    Funkilicious;)

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  10. What beautiful sites, and to be outside without freezing. It doesn't get any better than that. I can't wait to see more sunny pictures.

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  11. I spent 7 years sitting on that beach everyday...daughter would be dropped off at school and I would pack a cooler and sometimes my mother and off we would go...I worked at night at the local mall so my days were free and I had the best suntan for all those years...I do miss the beach but not the Florida snakes and bugs....I am looking forward to seein gyour cruise pictures...my daughter ( who is now all grown)...is going on that same boat in August...not the best month but her FIL is paying so I guess you can't complain...

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  12. Sounds like you had a great time. Now you know Florida is nice, they won't be able to keep you out!
    Nancy

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Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment if you have enjoyed my blog. I look forward to "chatting" with you.

Thanks,
Janet