Escaping the Virginia winter and heading south, first to the Bahamas, then over to Fort Lauderdale. We will be scoping out two of the newest Four Seasons properties for some sun and relaxation.

The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

Karen took a few amazing aerial views from the plane as we passed over on take off and on our Nassau approach. After a short flight from DCA to Nassau and an hour sitting on the tarmac waiting for a gate, our transportation from Cheryl’s Taxi and Tour greeted us after finding our way outside to the waiting spot. We were so very lucky they waited for us as the terminal posted we had arrived at a gate, when we did not. Our driver was none other than the owner of Cheryl’s Taxi and tours herself, Cheryl. A truly amazing woman who is a cancer survivor and small business survivor through the pandemic. Cheryl holds her staff to some high standards indeed. She regaled us with stories and points of interest as we drove to Ocean Club. Everyone knows Cheryl and is eager to assist her guests.

As we walked through the front doors, we were greeted with a complimentary rum drink that was delicious. I was a slow sipper however due to the medicines I’m taking. Our first floor guest room was off a wonderful open air courtyard with a bubbling fountain and conversation seating. Our lanai faced a wooded area. We enjoyed a meal out there and the usual quiet.

A short walk away was the crashing (loud and cracking) thunder of the surf meeting the sand. A refreshing Kalik for Karen and a Diet Coke for me at the bar overlooking the ocean was a good way to spend the end of the first day in the Bahamas.

Day 2 brought about ocean breezes and more relaxation, except near the pool where power washing was taking place. Karen enjoyed a walk through the Versailles-like terraced gardens while I sat absorbing the warmth of the Bahamian sun.

This was a different experience than visitng the Bahamas on a cruise ship. We avoided all the tourist traps of the island and stayed put at the resort. All too soon our time in the Bahamas was over and Cheryl herslf was back to take us to the airport for our flight to Fort Lauderdale and our stay at the new FLL Four Seasons.

Of special note: Cheryl and I exchanged lapel pins – I gave her a red dress pin and she gave me a Bahama breast cancer pin. We were both wearing both pins given on day 1 when she picked us up on Day 3. Such a special, amazing woman! Cheryl has invited us back later this year for a tour and more of her Bahamian hospitality. I hope we can make that happen!

FLL arrival day – our Uber delivered us to the hotel and as we walked through the front doors, we were rushed for a hug by a co-worker of Karen’s who was on task force there. After settling in, we met Oliver and his visiting sister from California, Holly, for a drink before they left for Four Seasons Surf Club in Miami for a short stay. We always try to avoid any glitches while staying at a Four Seasons however this time it was not avoidable. Karen’s Lobster Roll was loaded…with shells! Unacceptable.

We spent the second day at the pool, overlooking the ocean and enjoyed the warming sun – trying to soak up as much as we can to bring it back home to chilly, overcast Virginia. That night we ordered in from Il Mulino – delicious lasagna and chcicken parm enjoyed on the bacony as the sun set over the intracoastal waterway.

Just a note: All pictures were taken by KLR Images, Karen, (except one!) on an Apple iPhone.

FLLFS Note – The Accessible room was not at all what I expected. Be aware of this if you choose this room type. Happy to explain my reasons individually.

Again all too soon the sun, surf and relaxation came to an end and we were off to the airport for our return via our DCA flight.

Where will Chapter 6 take us? Think of a city where a famous dance troupe puts on shows.

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

Hal Borland

Health Update – My trusty personal nurse, Karen, has been taking excellent care of me from cooking meals to doing laundry and everything else necessary to keep things running. She installs eye drops, opens jars, reaches for things I can’t, does many pharmacy pick-ups, splits hundreds of pills for the correct dosage, takes me to all my doctor appointments on her days off and is by my side helping me whenever I need it. All this in addition to having a stressful full time job. I’m not sure where I’d be without this wonderful daughter…in trouble I imagine! Or in a nursing home/assisted living perhaps. My heart function (CHF) is very low and inoperable. The changes in medicines and dosages are difficult for my body to accept. Something good for my heart is bad for my kidneys (CKD) or what limited vision I have left. The cardiologist NP is trying to talk me out of my world tour using scare tactics. Life holds no guarantees. I’m trying to make the most out of whatever time I may have left. However we are mot foolish and know when it’s better to stay home.

I’m sharing some of my favorite pictures from 2022 blog posts. It was a year of travel and a few other surprises. Enjoy the trip down memory lane with me… from our living room to our ‘back yard’ to Amsterdam to Bermuda to Philadelphia to Montreal, to St. Louis, to Florida and New Orleans and more!

Our 2023 pictures should be absolutely fabulous as we continue our Red Dress World Tour!