February  2013

What can I say about living in Idaho in February. Again, it is cold just like January. I was hoping for warmer weather and yet I know it is still winter in Idaho. We have had very little snow following the major snow storm the end of January. We made the most of it by leaving Idaho Falls and heading for Lava Hot Springs to soak in the warm water.

It was delightful to spend time in the warm (hot) water. Dawn had frost in her hair as we sat looking at each other finally feeling warm. The next morning we arose from our motel and I went out to start the car. After several tries it finally turned over and began a noisy start. The air temperature was 5 below zero.

Our next destination was Newton, Utah where we teamed up with the Andersons. Gordon and Paul Anderson were gracious enough to let us stay with them for a night. Dawn and I were able to cross country ski in the local park at Newton. Afterward we picked up Gordon at the technical college and we all went to dinner at the Bluebird in Logan. How nice, we always enjoy eating fine food and of course the wonderful chocolates.

Early the next morning we were on our way to Park City, Utah in search of Homestead Resort. At Homestead Resort there is a volcanic crater which has filled with heated water. This underground cavern serves as a scuba diving spot year around. I needed to upgrade my certification in order to scuba dive the Caribbean later this month. It was an incredible experience diving inland in 98 degree water. I passed all the skills and was able to sustain a dive in 65 feet of water for about a half an hour.

Following our visit to Homestead we traveled to Josh and Danielle's in Layton and stayed the night. Danielle was busy canning meat in her new jars. The kids are always fun to be with. All are doing well.

Returning to Idaho Falls we picked up the pace with things to do. Sister Peterson had passed away and she had arranged for the funeral meal as well as arranging all the essentials associated with the Relief Society president duties. Her days ares spent visiting sisters in the ward and assigning visiting teachers. There is never a day she is not on the go. However, we always manage to visit Julia and family.

Monica is getting close to her delivery date. Dawn has left for Arizona to assit her in her delivery and care for the baby. She is busy cleaning and helping with Burton. We are all anxious to have Roxy enter into the family of the Mariners. Any day now!

ONe other event worth mentioning is reather concerning. Woody suffers from respiratory problems as well as his heart is always a concern. Well, last week he had a terrible time breathing at night and ended up in the hospital in distress. Come to find out he has asthma and it was triggered by the cold air as he walks the river each day. He also had a follow up angiogram to assess his heart circulation. All is well with his heart but his lungs are a major problem.

We are planning to spend next winter in a warmer climate to prevent on going lung problems. Julia, Woody, Val and Dawn and I are hoping to find a place to spend in the winter south of Idaho.

I have my bags packed for a cruise to the Caribbean. Steph has invited me to go with the Aylworths on a cruise to the western Caribbean, to include Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and the Grand Cayman Islands. Our plans are to have fun and scuba dive the warm waters as well as excursions inland at Roatan. It will be a much appreciated departure from the cold weather of Idaho.

Whenever we leave Idaho we have to arrange for substitutes for our temple duty. Also, I have to arrange for agendas in advance to the stake meetings. Holding a calling and planning visits is challenging. We still enjoy what we can do when called to serve.

Carnival cruise begins 16 February 2013

I left Idaho Falls the morning of February 16 flying to Denver then on to Tampa, Florida. It was clear and cold in Idaho but warmer in Denver. Upon arrival in Florida, much to my dismay it was very cold. Stephanie and company picked me up at the airport and then on to the Ramada for a good nights sleep.

After exercise at the motel and a small breakfast we were shuttled to the port by friends of the Aylworth. Check in was routine and well orchestrated. The Legend cruise is one of Carnivals large passenger craft. Following a brief mandatory briefing on emergency measures we were off as scheduled at 4:00 pm.

(By the way it never did warm up in Idaho while away on the cruise - it was below zero the night I returned)

This is a very beautiful liner and so far everything is grand. From the top of the stern, I watched the gulls scramble for food behind the boat as it stirred up the water leaving the channel. This evening I dined with the friends from Georgia. One lady introduced herself as the daughter of Harry Davis a former resident and bishop of Yuba City the same time I served as bishop of the Marysville 1st ward in the same stake.

Tonight we bunk together in the cabin apartment. I am sleeping on the upper bunk as illustrated. The ship is listing and I hope I can sleep without difficulty.

We traveled all night towards Mexico. At 8:30 we woke up and were docked at Cozumel

Steph and I put our gear together and headed out to meet our guide for the beginner's scuba class. The instructor was Adrian from the Sand Dollar PADI scuba. We were given a 15 minute instruction and took a short quiz then off to the equipment station.

We quickly were in the cool water and checked out for buoyancy. Then it happened, we followed our instructor through crystal clear water as he pointed out the beautiful fish and other animals. Lobster, urchins, eels and tons of other creatures. It was heaven. We did not have a camera but were photographed by the company and purchases pictures afterwards.

 

After our dive we went back to the shopping area and picked up a few things for family members. I did buy Steph a beautiful pair of python leather boots. What a day!  It ended as I watched this huge vessel became unattached and pull from the dock sight.

We are on our way to Belize this evening.

Well what a day. We were tendered from the ship anchored a couple of miles off the shore along with two thousand others. It took a long time to get to our pick up point in Belize City. Once we were under way we drove one hour to Laminia turn off. There we transferred to a high speed boat and traveled up river through jungle for anther 45 minutes. Once we reached the ruins we barely had time to use the restroom before our guide took off to the ruins. We walked a half a mile to the site of the exist temple. Wow how fascinating to see the ancient Mayan ruins.   We did take time to climb the High temple and look over the jungle listening to the Howler monkeys in the distance.

Lastly, we visited the Olmec temple down the path. These structures extend time periods from approximately 1200 BC to around 500 AD. The church's research teams equate the B. of M events directly with corresponding dates.

On our way back we ate our box lunch since we did not have time to sit down to eat not to miss our shuttle boat back to the Legend.

Roatan Honduras is south of Belize and is an island off the coast of Honduras. It is isolated from the mainland and is heavily visited by tourists. We never actually visited Honduras. The ship rested in Mahogany Bay and we spent our time snorkeling the bay and playing in the sand. It was a rest day, I might add a much needed resting time for all.

Entrance to Mahogany Beach.

This is a very beautiful place. The chairlift carries tourists across the park to the beach.

 

We snorkeled the warm waters and there were many small fishes and an abundance of swimmers.

Roatan is a very beautiful place and the beaches are sponsored by the Carnival touring company. We spent the day snorkeling and laying around in the sun.

Tomorrow is our big day at Grand Cayman Island. Steph and I are scheduled to dive the famous reefs of the island. Jared and Tanis are taking a beginner's scuba diving class. This will be our final excursion before we return to port in Florida. So far it has been a wonderful adventure. The most outstanding features of this cruise has to be the food. All is good and especially the evening meal with friends. There is a well equipped gym and I have been running in the morning around the upper deck. The one evening show I attended, " Jazz On" was very professional and entertaining. Last night Tanis and I attended an illusion (magic) show. The performance was fascinating with intrigue and filled with dancing along with disappearing of actors and stage excitement of light show and fireworks. It was highly entertaining.

Stephanie and her friends are delightful and we have enjoyed having dinner together. The evening meal tables are set for dress dining. The menus change each evening. Four course meals with entrees of wonderful and exotic dishes. Last night I ordered oysters on half shells for appetizers along with a green salad. The main course selection was an Indian vegetarian plate with four types of curry choice and Batsami rice. It was delicious. Finally I ordered the fruit plate for desert.

Yesterday was the highlight of the trip. We anchored in the bay at Grand Cayman and tendered in groups. Steph and I lined up for the two tank dive serviced by Rogers dive operation. After a short shuttle there were 12 of us briefed and boarded omn a beautiful dive boat, all very professional.

After a shore boat ride to moor at " The Eagle's Nest" we were in the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. We descended to 50' and drifted over to the wall which drops off to 3000'!  I have terrific video of Steph taken with my new GoPro camera.

The next dive site was an half hour away moored at " The Wreck". An old drug running ship sank off the coast so 50' down. This was the dive of the century. Loaded with fish of all kinds and sizes. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience of a lifetime. As you can see Stephanie found her a bicycle at the bottom of the dive.

I accused her of "multi-tasking" on her vacation. 

I purchases an excursion for Tanis and Jared. They were signed up for the beginner scuba. Both agreed it was well worth it and had a great time. Just one mishap when Tanis dropped a lead weight on his big toe. All is well that ends well. Our trip back to the Carnival ship was relaxing after a full day of excitement. We slept well last night.

Today is our last day at sea. Tomorrow we arrive back in Tampa and disembark the craft.  I will finally be able to contact those in my regular life.

I do know Monica had her baby girl. Not as planned but after a Cesarian section baby Roxy is finally here. I am so glad Dawn can be there to help out especially since Monica will have to take more time to heal up. I will be able to see the baby in April when she is a month old. More photos to follow.

What a month!!!