Miami Vice

We are staying in downtown Miami and have been trekking out to the Everglades for hikes and boat trips. After dinner last night we went for a walk at South Beach. It felt like cruising the Vegas strip, except everyone was fit and still had their shoes on.

The Professor can’t wait to get down to the beach today. He has probably deduced that if what we saw last night is considered evening attire, he will be in luck with the sun shinning hot today. I voted for another kayak trip to a swamp, thinking I would rather instill a love of nature…

I didn’t win, but I am not worried. I figure it’s all a balancing act anyway and with any luck, my boys will care as much about saving wild life as they will about dating it. I am hoping that if they get a few eyefuls when they are young, maybe they wont bring home a stripper when they are in college.

Not that stripping your way through Cornell Pre-Med is a bad thing.

Buried Treasure

Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Guest Services had our camera, safe and sound. It was a relief knowing there are no pirates aboard the Disney Wonder. It put an end to the Gal boys’ detective work, but I felt better knowing we weren’t sailing with petty criminals.

First Born Prince, always a gentleman, has been trying to work in a few highlights for mom on the voyage. It started when he saw all the trays of fruity drinks going around the beach.

“Why don’t you order a Bahama Mama?”

“Thanks, honey, I’ll wait until we are back on the ship.” I might fall asleep on the job.

Then later, as we were riding the elevator back to our stateroom, he spied an ad for the spa and asked, “Aren’t you going to get a massage? I can watch Sam.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I am sure I can get an appointment if I want one.” I’m saving my escape for when I can't take one more second of Mickey’s Splash Zone and feel like blowing my brains out or the alcohol doesn't numb me anymore from the effects of Goofy’s Galley.

He isn’t satisfied, wanting me to feel the excitement and magic they do.

“How about we go dancing after dinner tonight?” He knows I love live music.

“Sure, that would be great.” This is why humans in 21st century America reproduce.

“Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes!” He winks at me.

“Okay.” I have officially gotten my money’s worth.

Caribbean Cruise Caper

All aboard for a major mystery!

Charlie and Sam have the ultimate case on their hands: to find the missing Digital Canon Elph Power Shot camera. Are there thieves aboard the Disney Wonder--or is it a simple case of lost and found? It’s up to the Gal boys to retrace their steps without falling overboard. Can they recover the gift they received from their Grampy before the cruise ends?

How can the kids from Ithaca solve this titanic mystery? With the help of Guest Services, along with their own expert investigating skills, of course! Charming Baby accidentally left his new camera in Triton’s restroom and returned to find it missing! Did someone take it or will it turn up? They better move fast, because time is running out beneath the Bahamian sun—and it's sink or swim for Charlie and Sam.

Over the Falls in a Barrel

Upstate New York worked its magic yet again. A few weeks ago, my in-laws called, wanting a grandson fix, while at the same time, my friend from California let me know her hubby’s band was playing in Buffalo and we were invited to the show. We figured we could steal away for the night while Grammy & Grampy wrangled the boys. The band is one of my all-time favorites, so I was really excited to see them in a new, funky venue…


Our kind (and very talented) friend put us on the guest list which included VIP seating. Even though I cannot sit down during a Cake show (and please shoot me if I ever do), I found a spot to rest while we waited for the band to come on (yes, that is my cocktail)…



We partied like rock stars’ friends for the night. I befriended a girl with about 12 nose rings who was illegally taping the show with her phone. (Don’t worry, I made her erase it!) We were invited backstage after the show…husband was thrilled because he had never been “with the band” before…and was honored...thank you, G&V!!

I thought we were going to head home straight away the next morning but darling husband asked if I wanted to make a run for the border and see Niagra Falls. The last time I visited the Falls, I was 8-years-old and can only remember a loaner rain coat, floating around on “Maid of the Mist” and being awed by tales of the Daredevils going over the Falls in a barrel…

"Annie"--the first person ever to go over, 1901.

Rock on!

Rock the boat...Don't tip the boat over

The boys loved the cruise--it was one big James Bond adventure. Not that we had any Secret Intelligence Service missions to carry out but the British accents, jackets at dinner, zipping around on boats and leaping down alley ways in foreign cities were all they needed.

Athens

Nafplio


Santorini

Kusadasi

Rhodes

Mykonos

Istanbul

The holiday was everything we hoped it would be—beautiful islands, charming towns, historical tours...it was amazing to see so much of what I crammed for the night before my art history final. Our guide in Istanbul kept giving us pop quizzes and would act surprised when we couldn't tell him things like how long the sultans ruled the Ottoman empire. I felt like telling him, hey, if my memory was that good, I wouldn't need my 9-year-old calculating currency exchange rates for me at every cafe and shop we visit!