Scuba Diving in St. Kitts

One of the excursions we took on our 10-day cruise of the eastern Caribbean was a two tank scuba dive in St. Kitts.  The two dives were M.V. River Taw (a wreck) and Spanish Anchor.

Anna's underwater photography is found below.  Click on each image to see how it really looks.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNY4CgKrVx02PtvTygX-kHPMfnz8H2aIxTksB28__WqRxQBKg7ntSaubURa90965A?key=MjZfb2pENm5xQXZPZ2hTblVoV3FkRnpqdjMydDhB

Ten-day Cruise in the Eastern Caribbean

Anna and I went on our first cruise with my sister, brother-in-law and some of their friends.  We went on a number of island excursions, ate and drank more than usual, and climbed the rock wall on the ship.

Serenade of the Seas:

https://youtu.be/42DCcOwsRRY

https://youtu.be/aoAC_mbnyhM

Our stateroom on Deck 9:

Balcony:

https://youtu.be/G6JjJBOWfJg

Midships:

https://youtu.be/33pfs_0CUOo

Sunrise as seen from our balcony:

While on board we hit the climbing wall every day. And Anna and I got medals from Sports Director Sergei for being the oldest guests ever to conquer the most difficult route (probably rated 9.0 or 9.0+).

We did excursions on CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS; ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I.;                                                      
ST. JOHNS, ANTIGUA; BASSETERRE, ST KITTS & NEVIS; PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN

Island views:

https://youtu.be/gvxEvF3coaE

https://youtu.be/utA8rIe_gxA

Horseback riding on the beach at St. John's, Antigua:

Anna drove our Jeep all around St. Maarten in a seven Jeep convoy:

Sunset Beach on St. Maarten is famous because it's right next to an airport and people on the beach get blown away in a dust storm whenever a commercial jet lands or takes off.  The bar at this beach is a show in itself.

https://youtu.be/elGe-PvJMN4

https://youtu.be/faJ-w6yLuH4

Local color:

https://youtu.be/HfkE--mHel0

https://youtu.be/2wt-G4R7tyc

https://youtu.be/TX7I98FsBUg

Lest you believe we're done - we did scuba diving off St. Kitts and when Anna's underwater videos and images are ready we'll give them their own, separate post (as they deserve).

Return to Cayman Brac

Anna and I flew to Cayman Brac as we did last year at this time.  This island off Grand Cayman has great scuba diving and rock climbing.  This was the 25th anniversary for the resort we stayed in (it is the only resort on this small island).

The weather was perfect all week; the water temperature and air temperature were the same - 82 degrees F.  We did 11 dives and climbed with our friend and guide, Angel, whose business is called Iguana on the Rocks.  On one night at the resort we won a raffle - a free stay for one person, food, lodging and scuba diving included; good for one year!  We'll be back (again).

 Anna's reaching the summit of a climbing route:

https://youtu.be/edW0tC7gRMg

My video from a climb - standing on a ledge over the water (you can see my climbing shoes):

https://youtu.be/gqwq2sYyA1s

Two of Anna's short underwater videos:

An eagle Ray:  https://youtu.be/lNhhoTLSqdo

A Peacock Flounder:  https://youtu.be/EHqn_F6TAm8

Two of Anna's underwater photos:

Spotted Trunk Fish:

Squirrel Fish:

A public link (on Google Drive) to a slide show of all the photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W6sNrwHFD04hlx5N4sHtNPwkkzsVlwFk?usp=sharing

Visit to Salt Lake City

Anna and I made a quick, five day trip to SLC to visit Liza and Paul in their newly remodeled home.  Paul has spent so much time and energy to transform a dated house to one with a modern, high tech design.  In addition to the comfortable living space the home has a spectacular view.

We hiked with Maggie, Liza, Paul, and Winston:

We visited Paul's firehouse and got a ride in his rig.

We went rock climbing at Momentum with Maggie and Paul.

https://www.momentumclimbing.com/millcreek/watch/#member

And had a gourmet dinner with the Maggie and the Saloweys at Liza and Paul's house.

And then, all too quickly, it was time for Anna and I to return home to Jeff in North Carolina.

Second Camper Tryout - Hanging Rock State Park, North Carolina

Anna and I took a quick weekend to practice for the second time.  Hanging Rock State Park is about two hours from our house in Durham.  We stayed at a very good campground and drove to the park with our car.

Inside our camper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCzrY-T7-yw

View at sunset:

Hiking to the Hanging Rock is just a 1.3 mile route.  Because it is 800 feet up and is reached by an difficult rock path (and Anna was wearing her knee brace) it took us 1 hour and 45 minutes!

Of course Anna got out there to take a photo!

Then, because we weren't totally exhausted after an hour of climbing down, we took the short hike to a cascade:

The T@B camper was in great shape.  But we were drained of all energy!

Over The Edge

Annually, in Raleigh, there is a fund raiser for the Special Olympics.  Anna and I volunteered to help.  For two days,  as part of the "rope team", Anna and I worked with 20 volunteers who helped corporate sponsors and 110 fund raisers to go "over the edge" - to rappel down the face of the 400 foot high Wells Fargo bank building in Raleigh.

As volunteers we had a chance to do this as well.  Great fun!!

Keith Urban Concert

Anna and I went to the Keith Urban concert at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater.  We sat first row center and Anna was in heaven.  First we did the traditional tailgate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpgwVwGO1nU

At the end of the concert, Keith Urban tossed out guitar picks and one of his [very sweaty] wrist bands.  I caught the wrist band and gave it to my Sweetie (she knows this is the closest she will ever come to his DNA).