Monday, November 25, 2013

I'm Back from my Cruise

I’d never been to Baltimore before. I don’t think I’ve even driven through the city, either. Without a map, I was completely lost as to what was in what direction, though (and I kind of hate that - I like to know what my bearings are for some strange reason). After a long drive, we didn’t feel like doing much, and besides, we weren’t there to sight-see! I did, however, find a Hard Rock (no Bubba Gump - darn!). Got my magnet!

Finding the restaurant wasn’t too hard. Finding a place to pull over or park (for free) was. But I got lucky. In my effort to turn around, I found a circular drive that my hubby could wait with the car (and drive in the circle if he had to) while I walked over to the store. Hubby said he wouldn’t mind spending a weekend in Baltimore and visit. We’ll see. Certainly NOT on a weekend the Ravens play. I can only imagine what the traffic would be like then. We were lucky to be there on a Sunday (coming and going), and even then the traffic was bad.

First two days of cruise was spent on the sea and it wasn’t warm yet. In fact, it was windy for most of the trip and made for a wild ride at times. Thankfully, I only got queasy the first night and a nap seemed to cure me. I got a lot of reading and writing done. All was good.

Our first stop was at Port Canaveral. I always wondered what was there, now I know: Nothing. If we wanted to spend $$, we could have gone to Orlando (Disney, Universal, or Sea World) or Cocoa Beach. But I assume Cocoa Beach isn’t all that different from Panama City Beach--shopping-wise anyway--and we've been to the parks. So we just walked around the port. At least it was warm (temps in the 80s), although it did rain (we had made it back to the ship before that happened).

Our second stop was Nassau. It was our third trip to this island, but first time we ventured over to Atlantis. We spent the money to take a water taxi over. They sure love to cram as many people on that boat as they can. I thought I was going to hug the captain of the ship! Instead, I got to sit on the step. Lost money at the casino and walked around. But it was sure nice and warm!

Our final stop was Freeport. It was our second trip to this island. This time we spent the money for a taxi into town. Their idea of a 15-minute ride is actually closer to 30, and once there, we realized we wouldn’t be back. I got “suckered” into spending all my money (which wasn’t THAT much, thank goodness) to the first woman who nabbed me (pulled me by my hand--I can’t say no!). Granted, I was looking for a present for my sister. Sure hope she likes it! J

The leisurely trip from Baltimore wasn’t so leisurely back up. And then we all got shocked with cold temps when we left the ship (30 degree weather, really??). We saw a bit of snow on the drive home, too. Not exactly the way I wanted to remember my WARM trip. Heavy sigh!

No pictures today. Maybe Friday--provided I download my camera by then.
 
Hey, did any of you notice the Steelers AND Rams won their games yesterday? You know why, too, don't you? Yep, wore my LUCKY shirt. It ain't lost its mojo yet!!
 
I have yet to go through my mail (snail and e). I think I hate that the worst of returning home. What do you hate the most when you return home from vacation?

Stacy

 

13 comments:

Jennette Marie Powell said...

The vacation still sounds great! What I hate most about coming back is having to get up early for work the next day. Oh wait I hate getting up early any time!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jennette - Yeah, at least I didn't have to worry about getting up for work the next day (like my hubby). I did have to get up and exercise, though. That wasn't pleasant - too cold out there - but I did it (pats self on back).

Samantha MacDouglas said...

I can't wait to see the photos. Thanks for sharing I enjoyed hearing about your trip. Brought back memories of my one and only cruise (won't be doing that again!).

For me, what I hate most is coming back to the smog. I love LA, but when you travel some place smog free and you come back, you really notice it.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Samantha - Too bad your cruise experience wasn't pleasant. Our first one was, thus we keep returning. I like the fact I only have to unpack ONCE and then get to visit places (or do excursions).

Luckily for us, smog isn't an issue in Dayton. Cold weather though... Hmmm, maybe I'd take the smog over that!! :)

Samantha MacDouglas said...

The cruise was wonderful. But I get really, really sea sick and was quite miserable by the end.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Samantha - My husband gets seasick, too, but he takes the seasick patch and doesn't have any problems. Well, except he seemed to take more naps, but then so did I and I wasn't wearing the patch. Maybe we're just getting OLD! :)

Maria Zannini said...

Before I go on vacation--or just a trip away, I always make sure my house is spotless and I've answered all my mail.

Inevitably, there's always some dire rush job waiting for me when I get back so having everything else done makes any emergency doable.

My friends understand, but business emails have to be dealt with right away.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Maria - I might not make my house spotless (I don't think I know how - haha!), but it's as clean as it's going to get, which DOES make a HUGE difference when I get home.

Of course, the kids have brought in the papers and mail and there's this huge pile on my table, but at least the table was clean before I left! Haha!

JeffO said...

Welcome back! I did a January trip to the Virgin Islands once and I'd say that was the thing I hated most, was landing at JFK and realizing there was snow on the ground and I had no winter coat. Bleah!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jeff - We pretty much did the same thing on our move to Ft. Wainwright (Fairbanks). We'd been checking the weather and it was always above freezing, so we packed the heavy coats. We got off the plane, not dressed all that warmly, and it was 20 degrees below zero! Ice fog, too. Welcome to Alaska! Haha!

Michael Seese said...

Sigh... go browns (sniff)

The Happy Whisk said...

Welcome, welcome, welcome back. That was a song, but only it looks like words and doesn't sound much like a song.

But I am singing.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Michael - Your comment made me laugh. I hope that's what you were going for! :)

Ivy - Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have a nice voice, right? That's what I'm picturing anyway. Did you get snow? We got a dusting. I think more is on the way, though.