Friday, May 4, 2012

Texas in May, 2012

 

 

It’s been awhile since I checked in.  After Fiji in December, we spent Christmas with friends at our place and then spent Dec 28th to Jan 2nd to bring in the New Year with 3 other couples, the Daly’s, Walker’s and Russell’s at Lake Pleasant just north of Happy Trails.  We had a great time, but no cameras.  Then to Seattle in January to see Bob’s Mom.

After that it was Pickleball, Pickleball, and more Pickleball tournaments.

Stayed busy and am now in Texas. 

Rig at BalmorheaWe actually stayed in two State Parks and we as native Texans had never visited.  First we spent the night at Balmorhea State Park south of Fort Stockton. They are famous for their natural spring fed swimming pool. Of course, it was closed. The canals in the park feed into the restored San Solomon Ciene(wetlands).Pool from Natural Spring at Balmorhea   natural springs at Balmorhea

The next day we moved on to Pedernales Falls State Park.  The falls are actually cascades over rocks that after rain will go from a trickle to a flood in minutes.  Bob at Pedernales falls

In the camp grounds on the way to see the falls, a Grey Fox!  I had never seen one that close.

grey fox close upJust standing there in the street.

The river was flowing good.  We’re planning on going back there for hiking.                                           Pedernales river

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Fiji- A Great Getaway

 

welcoming band in fijiOn Saturday morning Dec 3rd, we arrived at the Fiji airport.  It was only 5:30 am, but they still had a Band to greet us.  We had to wait until 7:00 for the grocery stores to open, the the Malolo Cat office that would be transporting us to the island of Malolo Lei Lei to our resort, the Malolo Lei Lei Lagoon Resort was open Rosa Rosa & Me at Malolo officewelcomed us with a flower for my hair.

Bob and I in Airport

 

 

 

After a trip to the grocery and to see the town of Nadi, we boarded a bus to the Marina to disembark to our island vacation.

100_0011 The Malolo Cat II took us for the hour trip to the island.

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First view of our home for the week.

 

It was everything Bob and I wanted, no phone, no inter-net, and no TV.  As a matter of fact, there wasn’t even a microwave.  (we could have had inter-net at $5 for 30 minutes, but we opted not to even get on)  The computer was strictly to save pictures.  and that we did!!!!

The beauty has to be seen, not described.  It was early Saturday when we got to the resort and we couldn’t check in yet, but we were able to explore and get the layout for the week.  Welcoming Cononut Drink

Greeted with a fresh coconut.

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Not right on the water, but close enough. Our bure is the one behind the trees.  Still only a short walk down to the beach.

Sunday evening panaramic

For a nominal charge of $35 fijan money (approx. $23 US) each, we had use of the Kayaks, Windsurfer, and two snorkel trips a day with snorkel equipment for the week.  That wasn’t a bad deal.  There was a nice restaurant (Dick’s) and the cafĂ© at the resort. 

Sunday morning at 9:00 am, we headed out on our first snorkel trip and our first experience of the South Pacific waters.100_0003 (3)100_0004 (4)

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The first think we noticed was the color of the coral.  There wasn’t some of the coral that we were used to seeing, but it was colorful and in good shape. 

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The fish were really friendly and got really really close up.

 

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After snorkeling, we decided to walk the perimeter of the island, word was that you could walk it in an hour.  Well, they lied, or they took it a a fast clip.  2 1/2 hours later, we’re only 2/3rd of the way around so we cut thru the airport back to Muscat Cove Resort (they actually managed our timeshare resort so we had all their amenities). A stop to recover was in order at Dick’s.  Two Fiji Beers for our time.

At the airport, we had picked up duty free wine to have in our room, so we relaxed at the beach and had a couple of glasses before going over to  Dick’s for dinner.  Forgot to tell you that from our bure to the main resort was between 1/4 to 1/2 mile.  We got in plenty of walking.

On Monday, I went Sport Fishing, but only one fish was caught and not by me.

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Bob went snorkeling while I fished and then in the afternoon, we both went snorkeling again.  If you get the picture, we snorkeled everyday at least once. 

Pizza and Wine for dinner, then a good night’s sleep.  No air conditioners in the bure, but there was enough breeze most nights not to be uncomfortable.  We did have to keep bug spray on, but didn’t get eat up as much as Belize last year. 

On Tuesday, we kayaked around the perimeter of the island.  This took approx.  3 1/2 hours.  I think we did something wrong, when we walked around the island, we had to wade in water at places due to high tide and then when we kayaked, we had to drag the kayaks during low tide. 

jettye kayaking

Kayaking in Fiji at low tide.

Tuesday afternoon, we took the boat and tour to the SeaShell Village and Woodcarvers’ Village.  The Fijians want you to have your knees covered or at least long shorts and no bare shoulders.  They also do not want you to wear a hat to their village, it’s a show of disrepect. 

100_0016 (4) The Chief’s Bure is in the background, They wouldn’t allow you to get any closer.

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Bob went diving on Wednesday and I spent a couple of hours at the spa.  Facial and Deep Tissue Massage.  Both of us enjoyed the day. and of course an afternoon snorkel.

Thursday was a trip on the Take a Break Cat.  Supposed to see dolphins and snorkel, No dolphins, but lots of snorkeling.

Fish Feeding Frenzy

That evening was the Pig Roast and Celebration at Dick’s.

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  The pig was good with salads and veggies to go with it.   There’s plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in Fiji. We had entertainment by the locals.

 

Snapshot 3 (12-13-2011 4-22 PM)Snapshot 2 (12-13-2011 4-27 PM)

 

 

 

 

Snapshot 1 (12-13-2011 4-27 PM)

On Friday, we took the Island Hop to Treasure Island Resort, Beachcomber’s Resort, and Castaway.  It was windy and rough in the small boat we traveled on to the different islands.  I will say that each place had it’s own atmosphere.  The schoolees, Aussie seniors that had just graduated, were all over the other resorts, so we’re lucky they were banded from our resort.  Not up until noon and then hung over until they started drinking again.  We could hear the music until 3 or 4 in the morning, but only slightly.

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100_0021 (5)iguana at Treasure Island Resort    

 

Baby Turtles at Turtle Pond at Treasure Island

Saturday we didn’t leave the resort until 4:00 pm so we had plenty of time to GUESS WHAT?   Snorkel 100_0034 (3) 

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With this Final Picture, we say Happy Trails until our next trip and

Merry Christmas!!!!     100_0001 (7)

Thanksgiving with Family

 

me, dee and bob

We few into Houston on Nov. 22nd to Hobby Airport and then rented a car and headed for Texarkana to see my daughter Dee.   We had a great visit with her and Marie.

Marie and Dee

 

Dee  and I went shopping on Wednesday morning  and then pickled up the Turkey Dinner to take back for Marie to heat up. Bob and I went over to their place for Dinner and to celebrate Christmas with them.  It was really nice.  After dinner we were able to take pictures of the decorations they had put up for Christmas.PB230072PB230071

On Thursday, we drove back to my sister’s, Anita, to celebrate Thanksgiving on Friday with my family.  It was great to see everyone except 2 nephews who were working.  We hadn’t spent Thanksgiving with the family for over 7 yrs, since my Mom passed away. 

Jettye, Anita , Gladys and Jim

Me, with my sisters, Anita and Gladys and my brother Jim.

 

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The four of us with our spouses to the right. Left to right, Denny and Gladys, Bob and I, Anita and Stan, and Jean and Jim. 

 

 

The Kubin Family

 

 

Anita’s family

 

 

Four Generations

 

Glady’s husband, Denny with his mom, son Dennis, and grandson, Josh.

 

Dennis and Family

 

Gladys’s Son Dennis and his family.

 

 

 

Gladys with Daughter, Gina and granddaughter, Sasha. Sasha, Gina and Gladys

Glady’s daughter, Angel with Lorena, Josh, and Gina.

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We had a Great Thanksgiving and of course, ate too, too much.  Had great visits with my family.  We flew back to Surprise on Sunday Morning, November 27th.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Family and Friends

Well, I had my surgery last Tuesday, Aug. 9 and am doing great.  No problems, but will have to wait until next Monday, Aug. 22th for a release from the Doctor before I’ll know when I can get back on the pickleball.  The weather’s been great, but still cool unless you are in the total sun. 

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On Sunday, we met over at Craig and Jen’s for lunch. Tim came over also.  He’s doing great since his back surgery 3 weeks ago.

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After that over to visit Bob’s Mom.  She was asleep in front of the TV.  It seems she’s sleeping a lot more than in the recent past.  I hope she’s ok. 

Then over to Betty and Larry Silver’s for the party for Chuck & Keren Zurbriggen.  They won the bid for the time with Betty and Larry from the Silent Auction last year.  Mark gave them private lessons before we got there.  It was a Happy Trails reunion with Chuck and Keren, the Jacques’, the Birdsells’, the Phipps’, the Murphys’, the Brownings’, Marlene Perry and Rich, the Dueys’, the Hardings’, the Nolans’, and the Giengers’ and of course Bob and I.  There were Traditions people, Ken and Marilyn Kraft, Barney and Fran, and Mark and Lela.  The Grand was represented by Kris and Ted Koch. Sun City Festival by Carol Myers and Frank.  Then we had a few that don’t go south. Here’s just a few pictures showing the fun being had by all.

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