Thursday, April 8, 2010

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!

16 comments:

Darlene said...

Welcome home - wonderful pics - thank you for sharing.
Enjoy your retreat; can't wait to see your Between Friends quilt - teehee!!!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

YEAHHHH I'm so glad your home.WE missed you. The trip looks amazing. I sure wish we could have gone.Damn job!
It's my pleasure to entertain you, you know that. I do my best. lolol
I love my Between Friends quilt. Darlene did a great job on that pattern. It will go together easy peasy.
Have fun on your retreat.
Love you

j said...

Welconme home, Cheryl!
I must say, I'm a bit jealous of all those quilt retreats you get to go on. I just have to retire and find me some retreats:) Happy quilting!!

Allie said...

WOW. I'm drooling over all of your pictures! Funny but I can't think of Cartagena without thinking of the movie, "Romancing the Stone". Everything looks so fun and pretty! I'm really in awe of the pics of the locks, what an amazing place!
Enjoy your retreat!

Anne Heidi said...

Your picturea sre just wonderful- it sure looks and sounds like you had the best time!
Have fun at the reatreat this weekend!

Cardygirl said...

Your trip looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the pics...glad you had a wonderful time!

Thimbleanna said...

Wow! What a fantastic trip -- I'm so happy that you had a great time. Your pictures are beautiful!!!

Carol said...

What incredible pictures...glad you had such a wonderful time...and very glad you're home...we missed you. Have tons of fun at your retreat! Will look forward to more pictures.

Jandi said...

What wonderful pictures of your trip! It looks like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing!`

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

Welcome home - what a wonderful trip you had! How fun that you got to share it with friends. Hope you have a blast at the sewing retreat - and can't wait to see your "Between Friends"!

Ginger Patches said...

What an amazing trip!! Great pics, the ones I could enlarge and actually see anyway lolol!!! Have a blast at your quilt retreat!!

Jantine said...

Welcome back and thanks for sharing some pictures! Sounds like an unforgettable journey!

Chookyblue...... said...

welcome back.........sounds like a wonderful holiday.........

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Wow - what an amazing trip! So glad you had a wonderful time - your pictures look fabulous.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

HOW did I miss this post?! WOW! I am showing your pictures to my husband. He'll really want to go after seeing them!

Welcome back!

Sinta Renee said...

What an incredible trip! I would have loved to have done that... thanks for the pictures:)