Happy Leap Day

it doesn't come around too much-- so savor the moment.. a very 'ribbiting day' ... ribbit ribbit :)

looks like we'll be having an 'early spring' --on the drive home on Wednesday from south Florida we passed thru Charleston, SC along the Rt 17 corridor and noticed the Azaleas blooming in many places --about 3 weeks early.. the same for us a lil' bit further north into southeastern NC as our Azaleas are just beginning to bloom..  the annual  NC Azalea Festival is held just north of us in Wilmington NC.. this year it's the first week in April--might be a lil' late.. they sure make it look pretty  :)

Azaleas beginning to bloom

Azaleas in our front yard

back at it--over to the beach at Sunrise

 over to the beach this early morning to 'catch a sunrise'.. a bit brisk 37* from what I've been cruising in for the past 4 weeks in the Caribbean.. a kewl breeze sure pushed the cool air around.. brrrrr... didn't stay too long.. stopped at the Lake on the drive home to 'wet a line'-- nada.. not a bite.. no gators around either like a short distance away at Crow Creek GC with Jeff D.. our 'senior' dood-- that's 'Ali-da-gator' or as he likes to be called by his many close friends-- 'Ali' --was still sleeping in the mud and no where to be found.. too darn kewl at 37* back to what I do best--nothing... and keep busy at it.. after all " I do nothing.. I do it well.. I then move on to doing more of nothing".. words I live by these many days since I retired over 29+ years ago..

a day of REST

after returning our Alamo car rental this morning.. a quick stop at Costco .. and nothing else..

ahhhhhh.. getting ready for the next adventure

Cruise ends--Ft Lauderdale

 fini..the end as we are docked in Port Everglades.. great 28 day Caribbean cruise.. super weather.. looks like rain all day in the forecast for the drive back home..  off the ship by 0730am..  on the road in the Alamo rental by 0800am..  home at 720pm.. more traffic than normal for mid-week..and RAIN most of the way

Daytona Beach, Florida

St Mary's Georgia Exit #3 on I-95

Charleston, SC Ravenel Bridge

Day 28-- at Sea

once again a pretty early morning on this second day at sea as we continue on our sail WNW along the north coast of Cuba .. a turn north later in the morning thru the Florida Straits toward Ft Lauderdale with arrival tomorrow morning at the end of this 28 day Caribbean cruise..   a nice 0625am Sunrise on a clear 77° morning...AND after breakfast as per my usual on a sea day-- out to the Lido Deck-aft for some 'rays'.. "a lil' ray of sunshine..."  ahhhhh  nice  HEAT :)

Day 27-- at Sea

bumpity bumpity thruout the nite... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee as we continue to sail NW ..  large waves --rollers-- swells- continue .. a cloudy sunrise greeted me up on the Lido Deck-aft before 0530am.. winds were up but 'in our face' coming out of the North at 32kts a bit higher than expected as we hugged and sailedalong  the Dominican Republic's north coast this early morning

after breakfast it was out back on the Lido Deck-aft for some fresh air and some 'rays' in our usual spot watching the Boobies-- BIRDS that is-- following the ship alongside diving on schools of flying fish on this first of two sea days..  winds slowed down a smidge ..the rolling still continued with large swells .. a beautiful nice sunny day at sea.. 79°

Day 26-- St Thomas

arrival in St Thomas at the Havensight Cruise complex once again about a half hour earlier than planned which made for a 0643am non-sunrise-- the mountain and Paradise Point block the view unfortunately that one gets while making the approach from just offshore.. oh well.. pretty morning...

up up and away.. decided to pass on going to Honeymoon Beach on Water Island this time around and instead took the Cable Car Sky Ride across from the port up to Paradise Point for some neat views --and of course a photo-op or two.. a nice clear sunny blue skies day ..  80°

UPDATE 630pm... we've had super great weather on this 4 week cruise in the Caribbean.. left St Thomas at 530pm tonite.. Captain advised it'll be a bit bumpy starting at midnite tonite thru 6pm tomorrow.. we'll be sailing on our way NW toward Ft Lauderdale at the southern edge of a storm front.. only 20 kt  winds no rain but 20+ foot seas or 6-8 meters.. 'sporting' is the word..  the way I see it they'll be no lines in the Lido Boo-fay all day tomorrow.. hahahaha  :)