Showing posts with label trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trip. Show all posts

Sunday, March 5, 2023

2023 Feb 22-24, Amelia Island, Kingsley Plantation, Fernandian Beach, St Augustine, FL. and Fountain of Youth (Diamond Travel Huey Town, AL) 5 Days

Day 3: Wednesday, February 22

Breakfast in the hotel was a cinnamon roll, sausage, milk, and cranberry juice.

Meet our guide loaded onto the bus for an hour ride to Kingsley Plantation, which is located on Fort George Island along the St John's River. Two roads lead to the site, Palmetto Avenue, which is a dirt road that is often in rough condition. Fort George Road is paved but subject to flooding during weather events and extreme tides.

 Kingsley Plantation  and our guide

The birds we heard were House Finch,  Yellow-rump Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throat Warble, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Boat-tailed Grackle, and a couple of Peacocks.

We had about 45 minutes to tour the house, barn, gift shop, and gardens, there, we saw a gopher tortoise.

Loaded back onto the bus and headed to Amelia Island, where we walked along the sandy beach.

Amelia Island Beach and sand

Loaded back onto the bus and headed to Fernandina Beach, where we walked through the town and stopped to eat lunch at "The Happy Tomato," where hubby and I split a club sandwich, potato chips, and a couple bottles of water.

Club Sandwich with Lay's Chips

We walked along the pier, where we saw a great-gray heron and heard several grackles.

We saw several House sparrows and a yellow-tailed warbler.

Wall of Gray Butterflies 

Town of Fernandina Beach 

Loaded back onto the bus and headed back to the hotel to freshen up.

Our last stop of the day was Apple Bees for dinner, where I ordered grilled Chicken, a Caesar salad, and a brownie.

FIESTA LIME CHICKEN

Grilled chicken glazed with zesty lime sauce and drizzled with tangy Mexi-ranch is smothered with a rich blend of Cheddar cheeses on a bed of crispy tortilla strips. Served with Spanish rice and house-made pico de gallo.

Day 4: Thursday, February 23, 

Breakfast at the hotel of a cinnamon roll, biscuit, and gravy with juice.

Loaded onto the bus and headed to St Augustine.

We stopped at the Visitor Center to pick up our guide. We also shopped and toured the museum inside the visitor center.

Our tour Guide

We loaded back onto the bus, and our guide told us about the many historic sites in St. Augustine.

We stopped at Flager College (the former Ponce de Leon Hotel) and several churches.

Flager College

Rode back to the Visitor Center and were on our own for a couple of hours. 

We walked to St George Street, which is a pedestrian-only filled with unique shops and restaurants.

We ate lunch at  St. Augustine Seafood Company. We ordered a shrimp plate with fries, cole slaw, and water. I also bought 2 bottles of their hot sauce to take home to my son. 

Shrimp, Fries, and Cole Slaw at St Augustine Seafood Company

We walked several blocks on St George Street, stopping to take pictures of historic markers and sites.

We walked through the Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine and Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.

Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine

We walked inside a mall area where we saw several people dressed up like pirates.

Got my picture made with them a few minutes later.

Me with the pirates

We walked back to the visitor center and did a little shopping. Hubby bought a hat, and I bought a kitchen towel. 

We loaded back onto the bus and headed to the Fountain of Youth.

At the Fountain of Youth, we walked around and stopped to taste the spring, suffer water, watch a show, watch a blacksmith at work, and the firing of a cannon.

Couple taking a sip from the Fountain of Youth 

Loaded back onto the bus and rode to Cucina Giovanni for dinner.

It took forever for them to take our orders, and the food was overcooked.

Salad 

Chicken Parmigiana topped with marinara sauce& mozzarella served with Spaghetti. 

Pasta Alfredo with creamy Alfredo sauce 

Cannoli

The salad and dessert were good. We were there too long to enjoy our meal.

Day 5: Friday, February 24, Travel Home 

Packed our bags and took them downstairs to be loaded onto the bus.

Ate breakfast and watched a couple of Scottish men play Amazing Grace on bagpipes.

Loaded onto the bus and headed for Hueytown, Al.

We stopped in Perry, Ga ate lunch at Fire House Sub.

Club sub 

Small Philly Sub 

Stopped at the Rest Area at Lake Park Suwanee River Valley, Ga 

Rest Area at Lake Park Suwanee River Valley, Ga 

Arrived in Birmingham around 4:49PM.

Loaded our luggage into the car and headed home, a 2 1/2 hour drive.

Stopped at KFC in Athens at 7:01 PM and home around 8 PM.

Had a great trip but woke up Monday morning with COVID.





 

Sunday, January 29, 2023

2022 Oct 9-14, Carnival Ecstasy Final Voyage 5 Days Western Caribbean Cruise Cozumel, Progresso from Mobile, Al

Day 1, Sunday, October 9, 2022 

Hubby took me to my friend's house we loaded our luggage into her car and began our journey to Mobile.

We stopped at Circle K in Mount Vernon for fuel and restroom breaks.

We stopped at Jack's in Jackson for breakfast of biscuits and gravy. 

We stopped in Demopolis to take pictures of the historic markers and buildings. 

Arrived around 1:40 at Renaissance Hotel in Mobile, checked in, and took our overnight bags to our room.

Our room was facing the bay, so we could see Carnival Ecstasy when she came into port.

History Museum of Mobile 

We walked to the History Museum on the corner of Church and South Royal Street and bought tickets for the museum and for Colonial Fort Conde' which is atop the Mobile Bay Tunnel. We walked through Mardi Gras Park, stopping to take pictures of the markers and statues.

Mardi Gras Park 

We ate supper at Loda Bier Garden around 5:18 PM we both ordered a hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Onion on a soft bun with fries located at the intersection of Dauphin and Joachim Street.

Loda Bier Garden

The restaurant was crowded, and people were waiting to be seated. On our way back to the hotel, we saw several Oyster Shell sculptures depicting famous Alabama Cultures. Mobile is called the "Big Oyster."

By this time, it was getting dark, so we walked back to the hotel.

Day 2, Monday, October 10, 2022 

We walked down the street to Chick-fil-A for breakfast. I ordered a free cookie and Lemonade. 

We walked to Coopers Riverside Park, where we saw several homeless people sleeping. We also saw our Cruise ship docked in the Bay.

Carnival Ecstasy Cruise Ship docked in Mobile Bay.

Earlier this morning, we had watched the Cruise ship come into the bay.

We walked back to the hotel to take the shuttle(that held about 10 people, including luggage) with several other people to the terminal.

We got in line to be processed with passports, tickets, and proof of vaccines for COVID-19. 

Mobile had a farewell party for the crew and captain, with Girls dressed in Antebellum gowns with music playing. Many were getting their pictures taken with the Cruise Ambassador, John Head, and ship captain Michele Coppola. 

Cruise Ambassador John Head and Ships Captain Michele Coppola. 

Around 11:00, we were boarding the ship along with many others.

State Room E155 Deck E Muster Station F.

Our first stop was Five Guys, where we ordered a Mushroom burger with fixings and fries. 

We walked around the ship until it was time for our room to be ready. Walked back to the upper deck to watch the ship leave Mobile Bay. Such a beautiful sunset watching the birds follow the ship, stirring the water up for the birds to feed on the fish.

The sun had gone down, and we were headed out to the Gulf, so we headed back to our room to dress for dinner.

Sunset Mobile Bay as we are leaving 

We had dinner in the Winstar Dining Room, where I ordered Grilled Salmon, a Caesar Salad with veggies, and a Shrimp Cocktail. 

Day 3, Tuesday, October 11, Sea Day

Ate a cinnamon roll with nuts and chocolate milk for breakfast.

We had brunch in the Winstar Dining Room. 

Skillet Cake (Ricotta, guava, preserve, marshmallows, and maple butter) with bacon. 

Late lunch of taco and slice German chocolate cake. 

Went to a show (Crimson String Trio)and relaxed on the deck. Bought Excursion Passion Island and finished reading Matthew. 

Dressed for Dinner in the Winstar Dining Room, where I ordered shrimp cocktail, Garlic Shrimp, veggies, and dessert.

 Day 4, Wednesday, October 12,

Breakfast of yogurt with nuts, raisins and pastry, chocolate milk, and apple juice. 

Docket at Cozumel waited for Catamaran to take us to Passion Island.

Took pictures in front of Statues, Jester, Zonkey, Alligator, boat,  Fat Tuesday, and Purta May Cozumel.

Cozumel & Cruise Ship 

Ticket 

Foli MS Carnival Ecstasy all-inclusive Passion Island Catamaran 

operated by Peninsula De LA Passion Folio 56900

Cabin 155 Departs End of the Pier Sign

at 10AM Excursion # 3041391001 

Carnival Adventure

About an hour's ride to Passion Island, where we enjoyed three Margaritas, avocado dip, chips, tocos, veggies, and slices of watermelon.

On the island, I saw a couple of Trash Pandas and several long-tail Grackles.

After a couple of hours, everyone loaded back into the Catamaran.

We began our journey back to Cozumel, through customs and back on the ship.

The ship left port around 4:00PM.

Dressed for dinner in the Winstar Dining room, where I ordered a shrimp Cocktail, grilled Flounder, veggies, and a banana split.

Day 5, Thursday, October 13, 2022

Beautiful sunrise at 7AM

Breakfast Yogurt with raisins and nuts with pastries, chocolate milk

The ship docked around 8:30AM, and we took the bus into Progresso.

Walked through the shopping area to the beach, stopping for a full body massage on the beach.

We saw several birds, a statue, and several murals. 

We had to use the restroom, so we stopped at one of the stores they said if we bought something, we could use the restroom. I bought a pair of sunglasses. 

We walked through the flea market, where I bought a bag for $10.00.

We took the bus back to the dock, where we took pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Yucatan, Flamingos, Azul Temple, a boat, a cheetah, and a burrito.

Went to Guys for lunch with hamburgers and fries.

The ship was supposed to leave around 4PM, but several people were late, so it was more like 5PM before we left Progresso.

Progresso Yucatan 

We dressed for dinner in the Winstar Dining room, where I ordered Ribs, fries, beans, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Day 6, Friday, Oct 14, Sea Day

We had a beautiful cloudy Sunrise. 

Brunch in Winstar Dining Room of Skilled Cake with linked sausage.

Relaxed on the Lido deck, meet several ladies from Georgia, Destin and Fair Hope, Al, and one from lower California.

At 4PM, we went to the Platinum farewell Party, where we enjoyed free mixed drinks.

Recognized a father and son who had the most days traveled on Carnival Cruise Ships.

We listened to Crimson String Trio before going to dinner in the Winstar dining room.

Crimson String Trio 

I ordered grilled salmon, veggies, and Carnival Baboloo 50th Anniversary Cake. (a white frosting with three layers of cake. The cake frosting has chewy chunks throughout the frosting.)

Carnival Baboloo 50th Anniversary Cake. (a white frosting with three layers of cake. The cake frosting has chewy chunks throughout the frosting.)

Day 7, Saturday, October 15, Travel Home

At 8AM, we stopped at Jack in Jackson for breakfast sausage and gravy with strawberry pie. Filled up with gas at Texaco and bought Almond Joy and Diet Sprite. 


Carnival Ecstasy Stateroom E155 Deck E Muster Station F 

Hotel Renaissance Mobile Riverfront Plaza Hotel 64 South Water St Mobile, Al 36602







Sunday, January 17, 2021

2020 Nov 11-14, Trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (4 days)

Nov 11, Wednesday,  Hubby and I stopped at Cracker Barrel in Spring Hill for breakfast. We stopped several times for restroom breaks on our way to Pigeon Forge. We checked into Park Grove Inn in Pigeon Forge. What a view we could see the ferry wheel on the Island from our room.
Ferries Wheel 
Hubby took a shower, lay down, and took a nap. His stomach was giving him a fit, and he said I think I have a fever. After his nap, we rode to Applewood Farm House Restaurant for dinner.
Apple Barn 
For an appetizer, they brought apple fritters along with apple sauce and jute. I ordered a bowl of vegetable soup with cornbread. Hubby did not order anything but did eat some of my soup. That night, hubby ran a fever and had diarrhea all night.
The Incredible Christmas Store
Nov 12, Thursday:  The Incredible Christmas Store was just three blocks from our hotel, so I walked there while hubby slept. I walked across the Little Pigeon River, stopping to take pictures along the way. I bought a chocolate pretzel at the Christmas Candy Shop. When I returned, hubby was up, so we rode to the Old Mill, where I bought some stone-ground cornmeal and some apple fritter mix. We went to the Disney Store, where I bought Christmas toys for the great-grandkids. We ate lunch at Firehouse Sub and stopped in front of the Dixie stampede for a picture of the tall Christmas tree. We spent the rest of the day at Dollywood 2–9 PM. We rented a cart for hubby; he said he felt too weak to walk. We upgraded our tickets for the next year to $194.20 Our adventures began in the Wildwood Park area for children.
Santa @ Dollywood 
We meet Santa behind glass after we write him a letter and drop it into his mailbox. We watched a couple of shows outside, but all the inside shows were closed. We rode the train up the mountain, and there were plastic shields between each seat. We had to get tickets for the last train ride because the virus seats were limited. We stopped at the ice cream shop for some Rockies Road ice cream in a chocolate waffle cone. We returned the cart and walked back to our car.
Eating catfish at Huck Fins
On Nov 13, Friday I ate French toast for breakfast at the hotel. We rode to the Bass Pro Shop in Kodak and then to Katom Restaurant Supplies, where I bought two bottle openers and a thermometer. We stopped at Huck Finn's for lunch, where I ordered a two-piece catfish dinner with fixings. (Fixings include a bowl of white beans, onion, pickles, coleslaw, and hushpuppies) We took the bypass in Gatlinburg and ordered over the Smoky Mountains. We rode through Cherokee out to I-40 back to Sevierville.
Hotel Pigeon Forge, TN
Nov 15, Saturday We began our travel home, stopping to fill up with gas at Flying J. I ate a bagel for breakfast before we left the hotel. We stopped at Five Guys in Spring Hill for a late lunch or early supper. There, we both ordered a fully-dressed hamburger and crispy fries. They have the best hamburgers in town. Our last stop was at Krogers in Lawrenceburg to pick up a few groceries. After that long ride home, we were both very tired.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

2019 Dec 8-Dec 13, Trip to Sevierville, Tennessee (6days) and Journal of my three Root Canals (Dec 4, Dec 13-17)

Dec 4, 
All night, my lower left bottom tooth hurt, so on our way to see my eye doctor in Huntsville, we stopped at the dentist, and he said I had two obsesses.
The dentist did a root canal on the tooth that was hurting, which hurt several days after the root canal. I was given pain pills and antibiotics for an infection.
I went back the next day, but the dentist could not get to the canals, so he closed back up the canal and made me an appointment to see the endodontist.

I went on my trip with abscessed teeth.

Day 1: Dec 8, 
Traveled from Huntsville to Sevierville, TN, with my cousin Sherry and Aunt Bobbie. 
We were too early to check into Wyndham condos, so we went to eat a late lunch at Applewood Farmhouse Grill.
We ordered a hot bowl of vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, apple fritters, apple sauce, and their delicious apple, orange, & pineapple juice. We had enough food left over for dinner.

Juice and Apple Fritters
Checked into Wyndham Condos after 4 PM 
We were staying in room 1427 and had brought several items, and we needed a cart to load everything onto.
Sherry spied a couple of luggage carriers in the entranceway and was going to get one, but a couple had taken both of them.
Sherry was upset and said that they should give us one, but they would not
We finally found one and loaded it with everything that we had brought 
Another couple was waiting for our baggage cart and asked if they could have it when we were finished with it
Sherry and Bobbie were pushing and pulling the cart around the twisting walkway, and things kept falling off the cart finally, the man said let me help you, ladies
He gave his luggage to Aunt Bobbie and proceeded to push the cart to our room
His wife asked me if I was with them
I laughed and said yes
I said it was like The movie Christmas Vacation 
We both laughed 
Her husband helped unload the cart 
We thanked him, and he took the cart, and they left 
Another couple waiting for the cart when they had finished. 
What a way to start our vacation 

Later that night, Sherry and I rode to Walmart to pick up a few items. (Apple juice & chips) And where I saw Dolly Parton’s Imaginary Library book.
Dolly Parton’s Imaginary Library book
Day 2: Dec 9, 
We met Wanda & Buck at Huck Finn for lunch.
We all ordered catfish, fries, white beans, onion, pickle, coleslaw, and hushpuppies from the lunch menu.
We said goodbye to Wanda and Buck and rode to Dolly Parton’s Stampede, decorated for Christmas.
We all took several pictures.
Dolly Parton's Stampede
Huck Finn's 
We shopped at Burlington Coat Factory and Old Time Pottery.
We rode back to the condo for the remainder of the day and watched TV.

Dec 10, 2019 
Sherry and Bobbie went to a meeting at Wyndham. We all ate breakfast at the Time-share, and I was taken back to the condo by one of the bus drivers. 
While they were at the Time-share, I called my dentists to get a refill of my antibiotics at Walgreens and to cancel my colonoscopy until the first of the year. 

We ate lunch at Firehouse Subs. I ordered a Philly Steak 4-inch sandwich, salsa chips, and Sprite.
Philly Steak 
It was a cold, wet night, but we ventured out because we had free tickets to see Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show.
We had to go through security after we got our tickets. We were early, so we walked around in the gift shop and then found a bench to sit on.
Our tickets said Row 6A, which was on the left side of the building, and we could not see all the characters in the show.
We saw a Seal lion show, a Scrooge pirates show, Birth of Jesus with Mary riding out on a donkey with Joseph, an angel descending from the ceiling, Wise men coming from afar, and shepherds. 

Mary and Joseph 
Our server was Jenna, and she first served us drinks, I ordered tea.
Next, she brought everyone a cup, and she filled each cup with a Cream of Vegetable soup. Next, she brought us biscuits to go with our soup.
Next, she brought everyone a piece of fried chicken, along with Mac & Cheese, & sweet potatoes. When everyone finished eating, she gathered up all the dishes and returned with a plate and a peach pie.
She also brought doggie bags for our leftovers. 
I was not super hungry, but I ate all my pie.
While at the show, I got a text saying my great-grandson Hayne Cohen Hughes was born weighing 7lbs 10 oz. 
The show was over around 8 or 9, so we rode back to the condo, watched some TV, and went to bed. By this time, it was snowing.
It snowed all night, and the next morning, the ground was covered. 
By noon the next day, the roads were clear. 
It Snowed all night, and this is the next morning 
Day 3: Dec 11,
Picked up my medicine at Walgreens.
We rode to Dandridge, TN, to eat Lunch at Bush Family Cafe. 
We all ordered the lunch special chicken and dumplings with okra, roll, and creamed potatoes 🥔 
But I ordered green beans instead of potatoes.
After we finished lunch, we walked to the museum, and the curator asked if we had toured the Bush Family Home we said no, we did not know that it was open to the public.
She said you had better hurry for they were closing at 2 PM and it was about fifteen till 2.

The Bush Bean home was opened for the Christmas Holidays
We were told that they usually open Thursday-Saturday but had added Tuesday and Wednesday this year 
The house is used for business purposes, and the family no longer resides there.
The home had four bedrooms and four bathrooms upstairs. 

Bushes Home that we toured
After touring the Bush home, we rode back to the Bush Museum, where we got our pictures taken together and separately. We talked to the man taking the pictures for several minutes. 
On our way back, we saw a car in the ditch, I guess he was driving too fast to make the curve.
It had snowed the night before, so he could have encountered some black ice.

We stopped at Ollie’s to do some shopping before returning to the condo. I bought a Drop N’ Charge wireless charging mouse pad. 

Group picture at Bush's Bean Museum
Day 4: Dec 12,
Around 12:30 AM, I heard a banging on the door
I was asleep and thought Aunt Bobbie was checking to see if I was asleep. 
I kept hearing the banging and got up and opened the bedroom door I did not see anyone.
I heard the banging again and looked out my bedroom window 
I was sleeping in the front bedroom next to the front door
A man standing at the door said he was with security and asked if we heard the water running, so I let him inside 
We checked all the sinks and toilets in front of the condo first
Then we went into the back bathroom, and we heard the water running 
The sink stopper was shut, and the faucet was running 
Water had overflowed into the floor and flooded the condo below us
The people in the condo below us had to be moved to another condo in the middle of the night
After all the water was dried up
Everyone went back to bed 
I could not go back to sleep, so I watched TV and uploaded pictures from our day’s adventures.
Later that morning, a man from engineering came to our condo to check out the sink.
It was stopped and had to be replaced. 

We rode to Vanity Fair to do some shopping. I bought two cute sweatshirts, one a coke cola, the other pink and gray. I also bought Hubby a gray button-up shirt.

We were all getting hungry, and Texas Roadhouse was close by, so we stopped there for lunch. 
We all ordered from the lunch menu. I ordered a Sirloin Steak Medium well, sweet potato, and Ceaser Salad.
We had enough leftovers for dinner later that night.


Sirloin Steak Medium well, sweet potato and Ceaser Salad
At 8:00 PM, we took a shuttle bus from the Elkmont Activity Center, along with a family of 8, to see Christmas lights from the condo where we were staying. 
Elkmont Activity Center
Several got off the bus to take pictures at the Smoky Mountain Opry. We rode past the Titanic and the Hatfield & McCoy’s.
Several got out at the Dixie Stampede & The Island, where we took several pictures.
Smoky Mountain Opry.
The Ferries Wheel at the Island
We rode past the Inn at Christmas, & Veterans Park. We rode along the boulevard where we saw the 12 days of Christmas and Teaster Lane, where we saw Christmas lights of the old mill, Hey Diddle, Diddle, Humpty Dumpty, Mother Goose, and Pigeon Forge Trolley all decorated in Christmas Light.

Day 5:Dec 13, 
Checked out and traveled home
We stopped at McDonald's in Huntsville to use the restrooms. Sherry and Bobby ordered a hamburger.
I did not order anything because I was meeting my hubby at Cracker Barrel in Huntsville.
After they dropped me off, hubby and I stopped at Wendy’s in Athens for a bowl of hot chili and chocolate Frosty.

Dec 14,
I had not seen my grandgrandson, so I went for a visit and to hold him.
His grandparents came by while I was there. I had to do some more Christmas shopping, so I said goodbye. 

Dec 15
I had a great time tonight with my son, hubby, Ava Grace, and River. The great Grandkids enjoyed seeing The Grinch, Frosty, The Gingerbread Man, Frosty, and Santa Claus. They decorated and ate some gingerbread cookies. It was a perfect night to view the Christmas lights, not too hot or not too cold.

Dec 16, 2019 
I went to an endodontist this morning for a root canal with an abscessed tooth, and I ended up getting two root canals. Both teeth were behind my bridge and abscessed.  Now, I will have to have a new bridge. Two weeks ago, I had a root canal done on my lower left tooth because it was abscessed. I am taking pain meds and going to bed. Tomorrow I will have to go to the dentist for a temporary bridge. 

Dec 17, 
Today, I went to the dentist for my temporary bridge and post 
When I got home, I took a pain pill & an antibiotic pill and laid down.
Hubby had to get a temporary crown he had a tooth break off 
He is also resting










2024 Christmas Journal Activies

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year  To all my friends and family Hope this year brought you lots of health and happiness.  Just a recap ...