Many of us missed cruising this year due to the world pandemic. But it’s been fun to see the many memes being shared on Facebook. I decided to start a blog post for them. So, yes, we are all whiners about not being able to cruise this year. And I’m ok with that! 🙂
I am stealing this idea from the Viking FB page I belong to. Here’s how it’s going to work:
This idea can only work if you send me your pictures. Letter ‘A’ — GO!
With the current world state of affairs, it has seriously curtailed our adventures. So, I am writing to let you all know that we will be back as soon as we can, to get out and about and travel safely. While we attempted to experience a few local things recently, it was not without a level of discomfort. We stayed our distance, wore our masks. Things are, once again, being shut down as there is a rise in cases, especially here in Florida. I just won’t take the chance.
The latest news is that we have booked an exciting cruise for September 2021. Fingers crossed the world rights itself so we can travel safely by then. This is the first year we have not traveled internationally in several years and we missed it greatly. Our only other travel plans for 2021 will be my 50th high school reunion in Rochester, NY in July. I’m currently working on a yearbook to commemorate the event. This project is keeping me busy as I stay at home as much as possible.
So my friends, stay safe. Stay healthy. Keep your distance. Wear your masks.
Until next time…
With the release of stay-at-home restrictions, we decided to take a small road trip to Winter Park, Florida, just 25 miles or so from home base. As usual, anytime we plan to do something the skies are overcast, but thankfully no rain. We started with breakfast at the Briar Patch, sitting on the patio, with friends, Sam and Darrell. Our breakfast was tasty. But it was still a bit odd to order from the menu on your phone. No lemon for the water either. And sadly no brioche sticky buns when we were there as well. I enjoyed a browned butter waffle with plenty of fresh strawberries, blueberries and sliced bananas and syrup.
After breakfast, we headed to the water for a pontoon boat tour of Oceola Lake and nearby canals and lakes. The summer cottages of the rich and famous were pretty fabulous, along with their boathouses. We saw water lilies, birds, flowers and enjoyed being on the water.
Before the pandemic hit us broadside, we had visited Winter Park and enjoyed their Farmer’s Market where we also enjoyed a waffle with fruit and then had lunch at Winter Park Diner.
We plan to go back to Winter Park to visit the Tiffany Museum, once it reopens.
Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it’s not where you want to be.
Every season serves a purpose.
Just before the pandemic initiated a quarantine on everyone and basically shut the entire world down to any travel, Karen and I purchased annual passes to Sea World. We had never been to Sea World Orlando and the price was right. We signed up for the Silver annual pass and a couple months later received an email complimentarily upgrading us to Gold level. Finally, we were able to visit Sea World recently. The weather was sunny, with only a very brief sprinkle just as we were leaving. After our adventure at Bok Gardens the day before, I decided to rent a scooter and was very glad I did. Cutest things – they had a canopy to shield from the rain and sun! We managed to see quite a bit of the park. Most rides weren’t operating, but exhibitions were open. And the Orca show was open, with social distancing very prominent. Many of the vendors were not open. The crowd was controlled by a reservation system. It definitely got busier by mid-afternoon, making social distancing more tricky. But as a whole, I thought everyone was very respectful of each other’s space. Wearing masks was mandatory for employees and guests alike. There are a few areas where you can remove your mask, as long as you maintain a social distance.
Sea World is more than an ‘amusement park’, it is an educational center. It is a rehabilitation center. It is a marine zoological park. Sea World has rescued over 36,000 ill, orphaned or injured animals. For more information – http://www.seaworld.com.
The Orca show was educational as well as entertaining. The Orcas are well trained as well as well cared for and eager to please.
The exhibition areas were not crowded and dimly lit, making it a challenge for me to navigate. The fish, sharks, penguins, turtles, beluga whales and more were happily swimming and were visible through underground glass windows.
Here’s a few pictures from our day at Sea World Orlando. Even the Sesame Street characters practiced social distancing as they came out on parade floats one at a time. Hi, Elmo! Hello, Cookie Monster! And of course, at least a couple flower pictures and an American flag picture to round out our day!
Silence and the sea are the best natural anti-depressants.
Our trip to the Lake Wales area, including Bok Tower Gardens, presented Karen with many opportunities to use her skills as a photographer to capture some beautiful moments, a few of which I’m sharing here.
Twenty Steps at a Time 