Pictures To Share!

Back home, and laundry done!!! We had a wonderful visit with the little dots last night and their mom and dad, and next week our girl will be home for a bit. Boy did we miss all the kids.......but what a wonderful time we had. We visited so many interesting places. It was truly a trip of a lifetime with so many wonderful memories made. Traveling with our friends only added to the fun. I already miss our before dinner get togethers and all the laughter. I could totally bore you with all 210 pictures that I took.....but I thought some mini collages might be better!

First stop, Aruba. The water was the most amazing color...we took a ride on a glass bottom boat! That's one of our guides swimming under the glass.

Then Cartagena.....so pretty and so humid!!

The amazing journey through the Panama Canal. Such an engineering fete. There was about 2 feet to spare on each side of the ship. It took 8 hours to get through all the locks. Wonderful views from every spot on the ship and a guide on board giving us the history of The Canal and info on the future expansion due to be finished in 2014.

A boat ride the next day on Gatun Lake....a search for animals that inhabit the many islands on the lake. Howler Monkeys making a noise I have never in my life heard....more like the sound of a lions roar, a sound that can be heard 3 to 4 miles away. There were Capuchin Monkeys in the trees that were very excited to see us....I'm thinking it was the plums the guide had that brought about the excitement. The train in the distance was a land tour that our friends were on...I'm sure they could see us waving at them!

The next morning, Costa Rica and a visit to a rain forest...........the lower picture, a Toucan peeking out at us on the aerial tram. Plants, flowers, trees, birds, butterflies, rain forest critters and peoople zipping through the rain forest on zip lines (if only I were braver)..........WOW!!!

Huatulco, Mexico.....one of my favorite ports. I didn't snap very many photos. Think I was too busy looking. The center picture is an outdoor church...no walls - breathtaking.

Acapulco.....and a visit to the Fort of San Diego which was built for protection against buccaneers that were preying on the expensive cargo that was being shipped to Spain. A museum filled with wonderful artifacts.....such a rich and interesting history of this area. The fort being built in the perfect location to have amazing panoramic views of the entire area. Our friend Yolanda taking in the scene.

Sadly our last port...Cabo San Lucas. Here's a spectacular view of the arched rocks of Los Arcos where the cool waters of the Pacific merge with the Sea of Cortez. (ok, I took that off that ship daily paper!) A beautiful resort town. Love that sweet pelican!! Our visit here was short............. hmmmmmm, maybe a future visit will have to happen!

A great time spent with good friends. We met wonderful people from all over and even ran in to some from our area. In fact a guy that use to golf with my husband where we live...small world!

We feel very grateful to have taken this trip, but also so happy to be back with our family.

I am very spoiled ----- tomorrow I am off to a weekend quilt retreat. Guess it's time to dust off the sewing machine. My plan is to finish my "Between Friends" quilt....pattern courtesy of Darlene. You know what I'm gonna say ------ pictures to follow!!!! Missed all the blogs, so now it's time to do some visiting, and Miss Sharon thanks for the entertaining evening last night!!! She may be far from me now, but she still knows how to keep me laughing and on the edge of my seat.....thank goodness for live chat!