The End - Trip Completed

I was making my way to the gate for my Southwest flight that would take me home to St. Louis after being away 56 days. I looked out through the window and there she was the Allure, ever the vixen luring me back into her care.

I had been hers for the last 26 days, she kept me close and she kept me safe. In the end neither of us wanted to let go, but we had to.

I took a quick look at the door that separated our being united again and wanted to bolt at high speed through the glass enclosure but I knew I would never make it out alive. So I sighed that heavy sigh of resolution and turned away from Allure's gaze but not forgetting all she had done for me these past weeks. It was time for both of us to move on.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To all my friends and acquaintances who have followed me on the recent journey, thanks for coming along with me. It has been a wonderful trip and I enjoyed sharing a little bit of it with all of you. I will work now to get my photographs organized and up on Flickr soon for those of you that would like to see a bit more of places that I visited. Stay well, be happy and treat others with kindness each and every day.

My Way ~ Frank Sinatra

And now, the end is near; 
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I'll say it clear, 
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and every highway; 
And more, much more than this, 
I did it my way.

Regrets, I've had a few; 
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course; 
Each careful step along the byway, 
And more, much more than this, 
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt, 
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall; 
And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside, 
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that; 
And may I say - not in a shy way, 
"Oh no, oh no not me, 
I did it my way".

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels; 
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way! 

Yes, it was my way.

Day 12 - At Sea ~ Next Sunrise will be in Florida

Our last sunrise at sea. My bags are packed along with cares and woes and I brace myself for reality.

For the past twelve days we have been a community of approximately 8,000 people, cruisers and crew. Some 52 to 72 nationalities and a chorus of foreign language is heard throughout the day. We are not a people of one political thought but remain cordial and gracious to one another.

I think I can safely say we have not had a single shooting or stabbing. There was an incident of unauthorized liquor at the pool. However the booze was confiscated and the case closed without further todo.

The Belly Flop contest was held yesterday... impressive.

Have a wonderful day my friends.

Squint You Might See Land

It's about 10:30 am Atlantic Ocean time, Wednesday, Day 11 (I think). You couldn't ask for more beautiful weather. I have a Post-It reminder to self to check out the St. Louis weather as I brace myself for return to reality.

I wonder if it is really healthier to live in this stress-free environment, how could it not be? For several days we were without realtime news as in CNN on the television. If you weren't inclined to surf the net you would think all was right with the world.

The gardeners here in Central Park where I sit at this moment writing, are hard at work weeding and trimming and making sure the grounds are in perfect shape. It is almost like being at a Disney theme park. I did mentioned that the sounds of a variety of birds fill the air. Just walking through the park I can feel my blood pressure begin to drop.

I love the park for reading but force myself to switch between the Deck 16 ocean view and the calm of the park. Now as we near the end of the voyage more cruisers begin to discover the wonderful little hideaways that exist on this ship, so life becomes a little more crowded.

May your day include a little blue sky and calm as well. See some of you soon.

Sunday Sunday

It's Sunday morning aboard the Allure of the Seas ~ Day 8 of our Atlantic crossing. The seas have calmed and most cruisers are basking in the warm sunshine.

Sunrise was around 8:00 am and it wasn't long after that the surfer boys were lined up to take their chances on the wave rider. Well they weren't exactly "boys" rather mature and very fit older men. Well done, I say. I didn't want to make them nervous by pointing a camera in their direction so I'll just give you a shot of what challenges them at this early morning hour.

It is hard to imagine just a couple of days ago we were rocking and rolling in about twenty foot waves and now the sea is beautiful and calm.

It really is such a gorgeous day today, there is nothing that quite matches the vibrant blues when you are at sea on a sunny day.

I love how this ship reflects itself at some of the most surprising turns when strolling along the upper deck.

It won't be long until the basket-ballers will wake from their slumber and take to the court. As the Allure continues to push closer and closer to the land of America leaving a wake and Europe behind her.