Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
A leisurely day (aren’t they all) just staying onboard and soaking up the warmth.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Venturing out casually into the port to observe the local artisans and enjoy a few sights (after all, we wouldn’t want to wander too far or increase our pulse rates).

Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Here we go stepping up the pace … Ginny taking a plunge …

… Robert mingling with some of the guys …

… and more of the gang zipping through the jungle.


Oh yes, then there is the limitless food …

… skillfully sculpted fruits …

… and the incredibly lifelike carved ice.

Panama Canal
Passing the Bridge of the Americas as we approach the canal at dawn. This is the beginning of a daylong process that ultimately took us through 6 locks to complete the 51 mile route across the Isthmus of Panama from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

Entering the first of the Miraflores locks.



Sometimes you loose perspective of the enormous size of everything at the canal.

Colon, Panama
Taking a pleasant nature excursion on Gatun Lake. (The previous day, our ship had passed through the same lake on our way through the canal.)

Cartagena, Colombia
Just taking in some of the sights around the city …

… making a new friend (posing for a price) …

… and relaxing from the rigorous pace.

Most of our group bravely defending Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. (The Spanish began construction of the fortress in 1536.)


Just one of the spectacular views of the city of Cartagena.

Another formal night aboard the ship …

… and smooth sailing to Fort Lauderdale for reentry into normal life.

We are on our way home, so this will probably be our last post for awhile. We began our trip anticipating the birth of our new granddaughter, Penelope and were fortunate enough to be at the hospital when she was born, so we were able to meet her just a few minutes after her birth. It was great visiting with Dustin, Julie, and Penelope over the next few weeks. On our last weekend in the Northwest, her Uncle Doug and Aunt Angela came down for the weekend from Seattle to see Penelope for the first time. We all enjoyed our time together with the baby, and even found time for a few card games and badmitten.

Plan A: Hovander Homestead and Whatcom Falls, near the Canadian border (just before we got word that Penelope was about to arrive).

Plan B: Our home base for the motorhome in Olympia (while we drove the Jeep south to Oregon for the birth of the baby).

Back to Plan A: We moved to Belfair State Park as scheduled, to enjoy the 4th of July weekend with Doug and Angela and her family. A close family friend invited us all to join him on his boat for a nice cruise from Bremerton to Poulsbo to view a spectacular fireworks display over the water.

Gail (Angela’s mom) and Ginny.

Let the fireworks begin!!!