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!