Going and Coming

A cruise is a cruise is a cruise. We had a wonderful time and we would (and will) do it again. However, there is nothing real out of the ordinary to share with you. I LOVED snorkeling, Duane LOVED scuba diving (I want to get certified so I can go with him next time). We both enjoyed the waterfall and the tree canopy in Jamaica. New Year's on the ship was a beautiful thing but neither of us are real party people so we didn't stay up too long after midnight...that being said the real stories of any unusual interest on our vacation occurred the day we left and the day we came home.

Going (to the cruise)

We left for Madison on Saturday because our flight left very early Sunday. The trip there was uneventful and we got our trip started with dinner at Texas Roadhouse that night. The food was awesome BUT my burger or fries must have been done on the same grill or in the same vat as fish. For those who don't know, I can't eat fish or seafood without getting ill. It wasn't bad Saturday night because it's not like I ate it directly but it WAS uncomfortable sleeping. Sunday was the day of travel and I was SICK. Made it through the first flight and lost everything I'd eaten (seemingly) in the last decade at the airport. It didn't get better on the second flight, or on the cruise ship that night. Once we had embarked on the ship I was pretty much confined to mom's cabin (so I could listen to the ocean anyway) while Duane, Mom, and Dale enjoyed exploring the ship and the first night of a cruise dinner. Duane did go out of his way to get me some anti-sick pills that helped and they did bring me some cheese and fruit before they all helped me back to the cabin Duane and I were inhabiting. Come the next morning I started out shaky and week, but it got better once I got fluids and food in me...the terrible ickys had passed.

Coming (home)

Although no illnesses were hitting, Duane was keeping us updated on the weather. We were leaving 85 degree Fort Lauderdale for 22 degree Wisconsin, with freezing rain on the way. The cruise had us to the airport by 11:00, but our flight wasn't until 5:45...and we couldn't check in until 3 hours prior. We also couldn't go through security to the restaurants while we waited to check in so we sat outside on the cement for a couple of hours. Yuck. We didn't have to wait until 2:45 though because by 1:00ish we discovered if we tipped the curbside guy enough, he'd take our luggage early. The flights were pretty uneventful and mostly on time. We were late getting out of Minneapolis on the last leg because they were de-icing the plane but it didn't cause any issues. We got to Madison about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday and Dale went to get the car while the rest of us waited for luggage. After a minor time where we thought Dale's luggage didn't make it (it actually beat us home) we finally got on the road (in the promised freezing rain) around 1:30ish I think (I was sleeping). So now, it's freezing rain, we're home in the dead of the night (somewhere between 2:30-3:00am) and the van can't make it up the hill to the house due to ice. Dale let us out where it stopped about 3/4 way up, and he slid back down backwards with it (he's practiced at this so it wasn't tough). We ended our trip by HIKING up an ice covered hill at around 3:00 in foul weather. As upset as we could have been, it was actually quite humorous. Thankfully the wind was minimal so we didn't really feel the bone chilling cold. Also, the dogs were outside and heard us coming so they met us and walked with us. It WAS scary seeing Leo (160+ Newfie) running at you while you're walking on ice...but we all lived to tell the story.

So there it is. I promised to fill you in, do I did. I don't have any pictures to post right now...but...well...oh well. Until next time. Goodnight.