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Published: February 19th 2022
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My bad! We’ve waited until the last minute to inform that we are going on another cruise. Yes, that’s right….another cruise and you all are invited to join us. We are leaving tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM so you don’t have much time to get ready. You can do it…but Hurry Up! Hurry, Hurry Up!!
We signed up with a group from our park to go on Carnival’s newest and biggest ship, the Mardi Gras. We will be sailing to Cozumel, Mexico…Costa Maya, Mexico… and Mahogany Bay, Isla Routan. This is a 7 day cruise so we’ll return on February 26th. It should be a great time. I’ll be taking copious pictures but won’t be able to send them until our return…..so don’t hold your breath!
We had to do some prep work in order to get on this big boat. We had to get a Covid Rapid Antigen Test 48 hours prior to departure. So, yesterday, Cory and I went to a local CVS to get our test done. Our NEGATIVE results (whew!) were sent to us within an hour. We printed them off plus sent them in an app to Carnival itself. Just making our appointment for
this test, we had to get up at 3:00 AM a few weeks ago to insure a place on their calendar. We also got up bright & early to get a good boarding time. Yawn….we were exhausted doing all this just to be able to go. Yawn……We we’re able to get an exemption for all of you so don’t concern yourselves that you don’t have the proper documents. We have you covered…..no sweat. And don’t sweat cause they’ll think you have a fever and then we will be in a predicament. Be cool!
On a very sad note, one of our main traveling companions won’t be joining us this time….you know who….Lulu! Yup. It’s true. Her Covid test came back positive even though she is asymptomatic…..except for a little sniffle and loss of smell. She couldn’t get any vaccines…..no place to give them to her….being bodiless! If they gave them to her in her head, ear, eye, nose or neck, she would have died. So that’s the way the water falls! What can you do but feel sorry for her. Poor Lulu. We shall miss her presence in all our escapades.
Our morning coffee session has also evolved
into a weekly excursion. One week, we loaded up and all met up at a restaurant called Portillo’s. It’s base is out of Chicago so it is known for its Chicago hot dog and Italian beef. Another excursion took us to the Catfish Place. They have the best fried shrimp in the world! It’s wonderful sharing good times with good friends. More excursions are planned but first we have to cruise…..oh, my….our dance card is getting so full.
Even though Covid changed some of the activities offered by our park, we still have maintained various get together dinners every once in awhile. These are nice because you get to see all your friends at one time. And another plus is the magnanimous amount of delicious food that is prepared and shared by the attendees. Better than the Trough (Golden Corral) any day! Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here! Tropical Palms recently hired another activity director …..Janet. She has been working very hard to provide successful gatherings for everyone. Good job, Janet!
Janet helped to make a very festive Super Bowl party for many of our friends. We didn’t go. We heard later we miss a good time….Rats! We
tend to prefer just watching the game and commercials in the quiet of our RV…..plus Cory didn’t want to show his sad face because the Bills weren’t part of the Super Bowl. He’s okay now but he’s had his difficult moments. We have to be gentle around him. He and Sam had their usual Super Bowl bet. Sam took Cincinnati (he’s from Ohio) and Cory took the Rams (they were leftover after Sam’s pick). Luckeeeeee Mr. C!!! Go Rams! We are looking forward to a nice dinner at Manny’s paid for by Sam & Sandy…..whoopee! Sorry guys!
As you probably have heard, the weather here in Florida did a bad turn around. It was COLD here for weeks! We wondered where we were at times! For the coffee time, we huddled in our tent around our little propane fire ring trying to stay warm. Brrrrrr. We were like a bunch of homeless people around a little fire in a burning can. Geeze! When it’s this cold in Florida, the big manatee have to seek warmer waters. They usually head towards the waters around power plants. We found out about a small canal at Satellite Beach (on the Atlantic Ocean
side of Florida) where they had gathered. The four of us piled into our car and headed over there. We were not disappointed. There were so many manatee there….all clustered together. We got very close to the edge of the canal so we could see them clearly. They didn’t move around a lot….cause they were preserving what energy and warmth they had. We left there, thinking we were going to witness a space launch. But, alas, it didn’t go up. But we saw the Atlantic Ocean. Such is life.
Cory has been playing poker with some friends on Friday nights. He’s had a good time doing that. One fellow brought a bottle of Irish Whiskey one time. He gave Cory the bottle with what liquor remained in it. Perfect! Just what our morning coffee clatch needed. Irish Coffee! I looked up the recipe and got the necessary ingredients to make this warming concoction. Sláinte!! We have only done that once….the weather has warmed up now!
Our friend, Joe, decided he would join the ranks of the Ink People. He did them all by himself…..what do think? Lulu wishes she had an arm so she could get a tattoo,
also.
That’s All Folks! Time to sign off so we can get up early for the big sailing day. Hope you got all your stuff around…..we’ll be looking for you….but remember, for those of you staying ashore….no WiFi for us on the big boat so you’ll hear from us once we get back. Sweet Sailing! 20 photos to see.
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Judy Lane
non-member comment
Cruise
Going to miss being with u. Jeff still wasnt ready to cruise with covid!! Hopefully next year. Have fun. Be safe!! Love u guys!!