BON VOYAGE (March 8 - 29, 2022)

Our final week on Edisto Island, South Carolina, at the WYNDHAM OCEAN RIDGE RESORT was spent with my daughter's family as they visited during spring break from Indiana.  We enjoyed watching the dolphins play in the Sound and watching the magnificent sunsets.  This out-of-the-way island has always been a favorite of Autumn, and her family come to visit just about every year.  Time was spent bike riding, at the pool, playing cards, eating out (Pressley's at the Marina and Whaleys), and just having a great time being family.  

Scott and Autumn stayed an additional five days by themselves while Sherry and I took the two girls on a cruise from Charleston, South Carolina, to the Bahamas.

We are scheduled back for ten weeks next year and can't wait.  

REFLECTIONS

The Bahamas

"Guy's Burgers and Ice Cream!"

Cruises tend to be one of the most amazing events that one can experience.  We have found that no two have been the same.  They all offer to meet your every expectation and, quite honestly, they try really hard to make everything as special as it all looked in the pre-cruise hype.  Yet, there's only so much they can control.  They can't control all "cruisers" as they return to their room after a day of drinking too much.  They can't be there when the screaming begins in the hallway at 2 a.m.!  They can't control the weather.  After thinking that it might be awesome to take a loooooong cruise and talking to my wife about it, the next morning the ocean decided to rock and roll and roll and rock and rock and roll for about 6 hours. (not thinking about that round the world cruise anymore).

The opportunity to eat 24 hours a day sounds like a great idea, but the food is only mediocre at best (except for Guy's Burgers, which were outstanding).  It was another example that quantity does not always equal quality.

I am not saying that I didn't enjoy the cruise.  I am just saying that many times the reality does not

match our expectations.  We must be very careful not to build things up so high that, when the item doesn't match our expectations, we fail to enjoy the blessings that the experience provided.

We spent five wonderful days and nights with two of our favorite people on planet Earth.  Our two granddaughters, Abigail and Adelyn, were fun and understanding.  They seemed to enjoy their time with us old folks, and their first cruise.  We have now completed three such cruises with our six grandchildren.  I trust that we made some memories for a lifetime.

Life is short, and with our traveling lifestyle, it is super important to spend quality time with those we love when we can.  Other grandparents might be able to give their grands more quantity of time but, we are determined, none will give them more quality of time.

Although the "cruise of life" may not always meet our expectations, we can make it a goal to enjoy the journey and those who sail beside us.  BON VOYAGE!

Now, it's off to Alaska through June!

OCEAN BREEZES AND WEDDING FREEZES (February 12 - March 7, 2022)

Edisto Island Sunset

We traveled from Florida to Edisto Island, South Carolina, with good friends, Darwin and Jean Pressler, they dropped us off and headed back to Indiana.  It felt like we'd come home as we opened the door to our Bay Point condo at WYNDHAM OCEAN RIDGE.  Since retiring in 2016 we will have spent more days here at Ocean Ridge than any other Resort (227 days).  To us, it is a little bit of Heaven on Earth.  Its laid back, peaceful demeanor is perfect for just "Chillaxing".

This time our visit here is going to be a little disjointed.  After the first five days of enjoying the quietness of the island and watching the dolphins play in the bay in front of our lodging, we boarded the big sliver bird and flew to Missouri where I officiated at the wedding of my oldest grandson, Austin.  After six days with my son's family in Republic, we flew back to South Carolina.  We enjoyed a few days of islandness before my brother and his wife drove over from Simpsonville, South Carolina to spend the weekend. They have headed back home and now we await my daughter's family from Indiana later this month. But that will be another blog. 

REFLECTIONS

Austin and Maddie Dicer

    

     Family has always been of primary importance in our lives.  That's why we started this journey with Fairfield/Wyndham in 1982.  It was a way that we were forced to vacation annually as a family.  It provided memories that continue today to be talked about and remembered.  Back then, we didn't envision that someday we would become the retired timeshare travelers that we are today.  

     It shouldn't matter if you live next door or hundreds of miles away you should always strive to be involved in the lives of those you love.  You find a way.  

     I wouldn't have missed my oldest grandson's wedding for anything.  It was a testament of our efforts to keep family primary that he and his bride asked me to perform their ceremony in Missouri.  They knew we would get there somehow.  They chose 2stoday, February (2) 22nd, 2022 as their date.  Oh yes, he is 22, and the temperature at the time of the "outdoor" wedding was 22!

Brothers

     

It was also wonderful to have my brother and his wife visit with us at Ocean Ridge.  Gary is 10 years older than I am and lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina.  We don't get to see each other often but, when we do, it is special.  There is always so much to talk about.  I am feeling sentimental and blessed right now as I pen these words.

     Do not take your family moments together for granted.  Enjoy them to the fullest.  Put aside differences.  Be available.  Love them while you can!  

     I can attest that it is possible to enjoy the freedom of retirement and not sacrifice the blessing of family.  

     

 

Our front yard this month