Riding the Snake

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Slow start today; we left the hotel around 9:45 traveling about 10 miles to Fancy Gap where they were having an Apple Festival with Bluegrass music. Shouldn’t have been surprised when we arrived and found it was about 6 vendors since Fancy Gap is about 1 mile on one road. We began to walk around the vendors and one was spinning Alpaca hair into yarn. Several of us gathered around and began asking questions and the mother said they had a farm about 4 miles south on the Blue Ridge and she would be happy to go home and give us a tour if we would like. Would we like? Oh yes! So in about an hour we headed for the farm. She was a wealth of knowledge; they currently have about 47 Alpaca and several of them are blue ribbon winners. Each is named and they have the most beautiful black eyes and curious looks as they tried to figure out who we were. And anything made of Alpaca hair is so soft and expensive. After leaving we headed back to Fancy Gap for lunch and then off to meander back mountain roads ending at the hotel after about an hour or so. We packed the trailer for the trip home tomorrow. I don’t understand how we traveled for 11 years without a trailer and we did just fine but now we can barely stuff everything we need in this oversized trailer. Banquet as usual was good food and lots of fun exchanging door prizes and gag gifts given to match issues experienced during the week. Ken received a coonskin hat with a tail and a gun for being the tail-gunner all week; Ginny received glasses because she is always borrowing someone’s glasses to read the menu; Don received earplugs because he had me as a passenger all week (wonder what that’s all about) and the list goes on and on. Winners of the 50/50 were Ken, Glenn and Willa. Back at the hotel hugs and kisses and goodbyes are said as we each decide our routes home and two or three join up in small groups to travel together. The rally has ended for 2011.

Friday, September 09, 2011

Bill led us to Mabry Mills up on the Blue Ridge today. What an interesting place; I found out why the fences are built in a zig-zag and we were given a demonstration of the grist mill. Next we rode over to Meadows of Dan for lunch and a little time to shop the area before heading back to the hotel. Don and I went to check out a small private shop where I had seen a sign advertising handmade quilts. The room was filled with quilts in all sizes; potholders, aprons, baby items and Bible covers. I would have loved to purchase a quilt for each of my kids but couldn’t afford it so I settled on one for me. Prices were about a third of what they are in Lancaster so I think I got a pretty good deal. Had a wonderful dinner at Galax Smokehouse; BBQ ribs of course. The entertainment tonight was at the Rex Theater where the Church Sisters preformed some good ole toe tapping Bluegrass.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Going to the Mountain Music Museum in Bristol VA today; George was leading and he decided to follow 58 which proved to be a perfect road for motorcycles. Over the mountains it twisted and turned and followed a river that babbled over the rocks. No problem riding this route for 110 miles. The museum was interesting but small so after maybe an hour or so we headed back to Galax by way of 58 again but this time we took a side route to find The Snake – 1 valley, 3 mountains and 489 curves and switchbacks. We were not disappointed! This road was so challenging a couple of our ladies got off their husband’s bikes and into the car with Bernie and Shirley. Even on the back of Don’s bike it was fun. After riding 10 hours we’re all tired and ready to rest so we can do it all over again tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Cloudy but no rain so we head out at 9AM to tour Mayberry USA by way of some great mountain roads. Wondered around Main Street in and out of the 5 and dime, Floyd’s Barbershop where Andy Hale got a haircut, Snappy Lunch where we enjoyed a wonderful pork chop sandwich, Opey’s Candy Shop (guess what we got there) and the Soda Fountain for a hot fudge sundae.

Toured the old jail which was a bit creepy and then down the road to Wally’s Service Station where we talked to an old gentleman who gives tours. He told us about the largest granite quarry in the world located just a couple of miles outside of town. The astronauts use this quarry as a reference point when orbiting the earth. He was more than happy to lead us out to view the site. It was amazing to stand at the top and watch the trucks and equipment moving about like toys in a sandbox. Bernie, Shirley, Don and I headed out to find a place to eat tonight. Driving into Galax we spotted the County Line Café and the parking lot was packed – that’s always a good sign – so we pulled in. Entered the front door and found an empty table and immediately a little waitress came to our aid. Prices were right but the food – OMG it was beyond words! We all left way too full and very satisfied.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Woke to a heavy rain and promises of only worse to come during the day. Off and on down pours, wind, flash floods and tornado warnings and watches. Okay let’s make the best of it – we gather in the hospitality room and visit or play games. Ordered pizza for lunch and then talked some more. According to the weatherman the sun should be back tomorrow and the rest of the week looks great. Sun finally came out around 4PM so I took Bessie out for a spin with Don as the passenger. Only went a few miles on a back road with twists and turns climbing and dropping but it was great. Of course it was a bit nerve racking for him since he has never been a passenger. But he said I did fine and he was convinced I could drive any time if something happened and I needed to bring her home. The group headed to Stingray for dinner – wonderful food and great prices. Now back to the hospitality room for games and gossip.

Monday, September 05, 2011

Riding double with Don means he has to ride lead because I am leading the group to the rally. He is not comfortable riding lead but Ken is a fantastic drag; in fact the two make a good team. Pulled out of the hotel at 8AM under dry skies but weatherman is calling for rain and winds from a tropical storm in the gulf. Halfway down the Blue Ridge Parkway the rain started and the fog developed on several of the mountain tops and the hollers. We passed at least 2 dozen deer including a 5 point buck; several turkey and 5 or 6 groundhogs. Due to the low visibility several in our group pulled back and didn’t see us turn at Fancy Gap. I reached Bernie on the phone and told him he was lost! Well he knew that! In just a few minutes the whole group was back together and eating lunch in the Fancy Gap restaurant and creating more noise than most of the other patrons wanted I think. We arrived at the Quality Inn by 2 PM and are very pleased with the rooms.

In the pouring rain Bernie taxied 3 people at a time down the hill to Shoney’s for dinner but the rain had let up enough for us to gather outside our room on the sidewalk and tell stories, joke and work on Roger’s bike.

Just how many UTR men does it take to replace a headlight anyway? And why is George Curlett’s nickname Chief Brown Bottom?

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Dwayne and Sherry arrived at the hotel around 7:45 and we made the introductions all around. So happy we were going to be able to spend the day with them. Soon we were all heading north on 29 to find Walton’s Mountain. I have always been in love with this wonderful TV series and in the 1970s while the show was on the air I gathered clues to the exact location in Virginia. Then we took a road trip and low and behold we found the mountain and the childhood home of Earl Hamner which is what the show was based on. His mother still lived there – there was no museum or gift shops just a very proud mother who served lemonade and cookies to strangers. Today the school has been turned into a museum and the house is open for tours. The Baptist church they attended is still serving the small community. After a couple of hours we visited Ike Godsey’s General Store less than a mile down the road and ate lunch under the shade trees in the yard.

Next stop would be 120 miles over mountain roads to The Home Place for a wonderful family style dinner. We climbed to the top of mountains through twists and turns and raced down the other side into the hollers. We spent 2 or 3 hours playing in the most beautiful corner of God’s garden. Off to the left I spotted a deer munching on the tall grasses; a hawk sat on the wires watching for his lunch in the field below and we had to slow down to allow the flock of wild turkey to cross the road. After eating our fill we wondered out to the bikes; said our goodbyes to Dwayne and Sherry and headed the 60 miles back to Lynchburg.

Saturday, September 03, 2011

Not a good start.

Got a half mile down the road and the GPS was not working correctly. Thinking it might be the plug we turned around and went home to get the one from the car. Okay ready off we go to meet Bernie and Shirley at 6:30AM and everyone else at the McDonalds on Kent Narrows. It’s cool and clear a beautiful morning to be riding. We pull into the McDonalds parking lot just seconds before the others and dismount. Suddenly several people notice Abigail is pouring oil from under her belly. Not just a few drops like in NY two weeks ago – oh no this is a steady stream. No way can I ride this bike another 50 feet. What to do! First thing in my mind is call my shop but it’s 7:30 and L&D Suzuki doesn’t open until 10. I’m sick; my stomach begins to churn. Out comes the laptop to find the last name of some of the guys. Then try superpages for phone numbers. Boy has this site gone downhill- no help. So I begin calling 411 and trying several different names and finally this poor operator has the name of one person – the general manager. Is it the same person? We’re going to find out. I call and a sweet lady answers the phone. I ask if her husband, Jim works for L&D. A hesitant yes. I explained my problem and told her I needed to talk to him right away. Bless her heart, I don’t know if she rides but she was so sympathetic she called him right away to the phone. Jim made some calls and in very short order assured me they would come and get Abigail. Now I had no choice but to clean out my saddlebags and prepare to ride two up on Bessie with Don. Tossing everything in the trailer we managed to leave the McDonalds an hour later than planned but at least I left with the group while my bike sat lonely in the parking lot. I tried to tell myself everything happens for a reason; at least this didn’t happen 400 miles from home where I would have had to find a shop or worse had an accident. Did it help? No I still cried for the next 50 miles but no matter how you are riding you cannot feel blue too long with the sun and the wind in your face so I’m better now. So this rally will not be exactly what I had in mind but it is going to be fun because I’ll be with my UTR family and friends and I’ll be on the road. By lunch time I had a call from the shop Abigail was on the lift. Stopped in Lynchburg for the night and the off to Walton’s Mountain tomorrow.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Heading for home - departed the campgrounds at 7AM taking 15 south around Harrisburg then over to Lancaster by 9AM where we took 896 and 301 home. Stopped by Bernie's to check in on Shirley and we were so happy to learn she is not going to require surgery and they plan to begin physical therapy in 2 weeks. Bernie is making noise about not riding anymore but Shirley is saying oh yes they will. Now to get the laundry done and the bikes cleaned. In all we traveled a total of 1214 miles. What a great way to spend a birthday!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

No particular place to go today just ride. After breakfast we headed north on 405 taking 44 north at Milton and then 414 from 44. Wow what a wonderful road 414 is! It climbs through the mountains running beside Pine Creek and many places the road is just a narrow ledge jutting out from the mountainside. Speckled throughout the woods you see a few houses and even original log cabins here and there. Route 414 eventually intersects with 287 to Wellsboro where we gassed up and then headed east on route 6 which is indentified as one of PA’s most scenic routes. Turning south on 220 we continue on until it becomes 405 south which leads us directly to the campgrounds. Total miles today 227. Temps were in the high 90’s and thunderstorms were forecasted. Returning to the campgrounds we settled up the bill and packed the trailers before heading back to Water Street for dinner. The plan for tomorrow is to have breakfast around 8 as usual and then follow 15 south to Thurmont MD and then home from there.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

We headed up route 15 for Williamsport today to take the Trolley tour of the historic district and to take the cruise on the Susquehanna River aboard a paddle boat, The Hiawatha. The day was informative and very enjoyable even though the temps reached 97 or more. Returning to camp around 5PM Don and Glenn built the fire in preparation for roasting hot dogs and I mixed up the ice cream for freezing. The night was still very warm with a gentle breeze blowing off the river as the guys pulled out the cards. One more day to ride and then we head home.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 - Another Birthday

Another birthday on the road; three years ago Don asked what I wanted for my birthday and my reply was to be on the bike any place but home and he has tried to make that come true every year. We all watched Bernie and Shirley leave and we each wiped a tear from our eyes. We certainly will miss them. The destination today was Penn’s Cave which turned out to be a great ride and a very interesting attraction. Found a great little local restaurant in Centre Hall, Brody’s Diner, where the food was good and the prices right. A quick search in the GPS and we selected the Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven as our next destination. We were now in some of the most beautiful parts of PA riding what seemed to be a level road but we were really on a mountain ridge with higher mountains to the left and right and a valley between us and the far mountains. Below were farms with fields displayed as patchwork quilts with brown squares of plowed fields, or light green harvested hay baled and waiting to be stored or dark green fields of corn. Large farms with red and white barns, silos and white houses.

With still a lot of daylight remaining we headed north to Renovo for no particular reason other than a very dear person I once knew came from that town and I wanted to see it. The ride up was magnificent as we began to climb mountains rider and bike becoming one as we dance around each curve in the road. Forests of dark green creating a shelter for our ribbon of black suddenly open to reveal the Susquehanna River and allow the cool air to reach us. Reaching Renovo we gas up, take a look around and turn the bikes towards the campground 79 miles away where we plan to have dinner at The Fence Drive-In. This little place doesn’t look like much and you eat outside on picnic tables or in your car but it is packed every night. We were not disappointed – the food was very good. Just proves the point if you want good food follow the locals to their favorite spots.

Monday, June 6

Breakfast at 8 and then off to the Grand Canyon of PA traveling all country roads. GPS set for no highways and no unpaved roads and found some beautiful roads with twists and turns, uphill and down, riding beside rivers and streams or mountain drop-offs with flowers blooming and the air sweet with their smell. As we approached our last mountain climb for the canyon we made a left turn onto a small, blacktopped road when suddenly up ahead I saw it turned to gravel. Now this girl doesn’t like gravel – twice I’ve turned the bike over on gravel and broken my ankle one of those times. Bernie has told me I have a phobia which I need to get over. I hit the brakes and the bike began to fish-tail, smoke streaming from the back tire which was screaming her resistance. I wasn’t going to get stopped before the gravel so I released the brakes and prepared to hit the gravel at a faster speed than I wanted to. I heard Glenn on the CB behind me saying to ride it out and don’t use the front brake. I have learned not to use the front brake on gravel but I kept reminding myself as the bike slowed to a manageable speed for gravel. I heard Don say 2.7 miles of this road with curves and uphill climbs. I didn’t think I could turn around so I kept going. I heard Andy and Bernie say something about meeting me at the other end so I thought only Glenn had followed me. We proceeded on weaving past pot holes working the clutch and the back brake to maintain just the right speed. It seemed like 20 miles but finally I saw the end and a blacktop road but it was going to require a sharp, hairpin turn to the right and I had not positioned myself as far to the left as I should have. I carefully walked Abigail around the turn and not wanting to turn the wheel too sharp while still on the gravel which was piled pretty heavy at the end, I got the bike within a hair of the left side of the road which was facing on-coming traffic if any came over the hill and on the very edge of a deep drop over the side of the mountain. Glenn said I made his heart stop – it didn’t do much for mine either – but obviously I made it. We headed up the hill to the park entrance of the Grand Canyon. I could hear very little of anyone else on the CB but I did hear Don asking if someone had dropped their bike. No one came up the hill so Glenn turned around and went back. He radioed up that Bernie had dropped his bike. Don came up to get me on his bike and I left mine at the park. Shirley was sitting up on the ground with Bonnie, our nurse, holding her. The ambulance had been called and arrived in just a couple of minutes. We all traveled to the hospital in Wellsboro where it was determined she had broken her shoulder in two places and was going to have to go home because it required surgery. The remainder of the day was spend finding a U-Haul for Bernie, loading the bike and his trailer, getting our girl out of the hospital and doing all the necessary stuff to make her as comfortable as possible. They planned to head home tomorrow.

Sunday, June 5, 2001

Breakfast was our first order of business. Andy and Bonnie had gone to Lewisburg yesterday and lead us to a great place on Water Street. A huge building that had once been a textile factory but the machines were silent now and the dust had been swept from the floors. Now there was a nice homey restaurant surrounded by 125 consignment shops selling handcrafts, vintage clothing, books, antiques, furniture, you get the idea. We spend an hour or so wondering the multi-levels of this old building serving a modern need. We ladies thought making another trip up in a van or trucks would be a wonderful idea (for some reason the men didn’t agree). I got an old spinning top with a closed flower inside that opens to reveal a bumblebee when you spin it for Zoey and a Teach Me Bear for Todd with buttons, zippers, belts and shoe strings to work on.

Last night a group of 8 people touring the area on vintage bikes stopped at the campground. This morning Don was checking the bikes and talking to the owner of the bikes and leader of the tour. He told us about Bill’s Old Bike Barn just 30 miles from here. According to him and the website Bill has collected a little of everything you can imagine so we decided to head to Bloomsburg and find it. We were not disappointed. The ride was nice on secondary roads and we were overwhelmed with everything to see. Bill has even created a little town “Billsville” inside with various stores and even a tavern with a complete bar from the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. We spend a couple hours and still didn’t see everything.

Check out the website at http://www.billsbikebarn.com/

A stop for lunch and then back to the campground where Bernie proceeded to build a fire (we have dubbed him the fire maker) and I began the fixings for homemade ice cream. Bernie cooked hot dogs over an open fire, Andy did the second batch while everyone kept telling him to stop placing them directly on the burning logs. Glenn chopped some wood (really playing with the hatchet) and after our dogs and chips we began making smores. Bonnie prepared the crackers and chocolate while the guys roasted the marshmallows. Bonnie took the first turn cranking the ice cream freezer and then the guys took over and within a few minutes we had orange ice. The cards were dealt out and the quarter knock games began until it was getting too dark to see.

Heading Out to Steel Steeds

Pulled out at 6AM and joined everyone at the bank parking lot and headed north by 7AM. Had a great ride with a few extra miles since I changed my mind and the GPS settings in mid stream. Oh well - we were out for the ride and it was fun. Stopped for lunch at 1PM and while eating another biker came in and wanted to join us heading for Steel Steeds for the BON rally. The more the merrier. Arriving at the campground we eased our way down the gravel driveway to our trailers. Not bad trailers either - miniature models of home. Well not exactly but they are nice campers. The guys immediately set about gathering wood to build a fire - thank goodness Bob the owner of the campgrounds brought us two loads and soon a roaring fire was going. Just like survivors LOL. The campground was providing a BBQ so we ate here and then sat around the campsite and the guys played their first game of quarter knock. Just after turning out the lights for night the sky began to light up and thunder rolled. Glad we had good weather while riding.

Scouting Trip to Galax Virginia

Every year we send a small scouting party to our rally location to find a hotel and set up a block of rooms at the best rate possible. This year I was able to be a part of this fun activity. The plan was to ride straight down on Thursday, spend Friday and maybe Saturday checking hotels and restaurants and then ride straight home on Sunday. Galax is about 430 some miles or so from home so riding straight through was going to be tiring I knew.

We packed light for only 4 days and stuffed everything in the two trunks of Bessie. Don had the ice chest filled with bottled water strapped to the little slide-in and one last leather bag with my sneakers strapped to the back seat. We pulled out of our drive at 5:45 AM bound and determined to beat Bernie and Shirley to the meeting location in Templeville. One hour later we joined George Hires at McDonalds on Kent Island and headed west around the Washington Beltway to Front Royal and then south down I-81. The cooler so carefully strapped to the slide-in on the back of Bessie came loose as we travelled 65 mph around the beltway. I wonder if that thing bouncing down the highway caused any accidents.

Weatherman was calling for rain and we had a couple of slight periods of rain where we would stop and put the rain gear on and then take it off and then put it on again. Then just 8.9 miles from Hillsville we stopped. It was beginning to rain and Don had just hear on the radio a warning of an approaching storm with 1 inch hail, heavy rains and 65 mph winds coming right for us. We pulled into a truck stop just in time! Grabbing the GPS and covering the CB we ran inside and watched out the windows as more and more bikers pull in as lightening flashed and thunder rolled and the hail began to bounce off the pavement. Three times the rain let up and we walked outside only to have the storm circle back around and start again. Mountains surrounded us and the storm was bouncing off of them like a ball in a pinball machine. After spending 2 hours in the truck stop we, like the other bikers, decided we were going to mount up and go; the lightening had stopped and the rain had slacked. No more than a mile down the road the rain came again in buckets. By the time we traveled the 8.9 miles we were all wet and poor Bernie had packed their clothes in a small bag and strapped it to the top of his bike's trunk and had not covered it with anything water proof! Every stitch of clothing they had on them and with them were soaked. Dripping water all over the counter of the Super 8 we signed in and headed to the nearest restaurant for dinner 13 hours after leaving the McDonalds on Kent Island.

Friday George talked to the manager at the Super 8 about the rally and got prices for our group to stay there. Then we went to the Quality Inn to see what our chances were of getting a reasonable rate and to our surprise the manager offered us a fantastic rate at this fairly new hotel with great amenities. Okay hotel choices selected now to find a banquet location. The manager of the Super 8 had suggested the Countryseat Restaurant right across the street for dinner so we discussed the idea of a banquet with the manager. Not a problem and within a few minutes everything was discussed and the room surveyed.

Mid morning - now what to do? Well lets ride to Galax and find the Rex theater and a short walk down the historic district brought us to The Galax Smokehouse, winners of the "Best of the Best BBQ Restaurant Award" from the National Barbeque Association for 8 years in a row. It wasn't lunch time yet so we decided to leave the tasting until the rally.
Heading out of Galax we wondered some of the best back roads with our destination being Mt. Airy (Andy Griffith's hometown) for lunch at Snappy Lunch where Don and George had the famous pork chop sandwich for $4 and I enjoyed a cheeseburger for $2. I was riding on the back of Bessie but I've made a mental note of the roads and how I found them and this is going to be the ride I lead during the rally. One of the roads was very much like Snake Road when we were on the 2009 rally at Smith Mountain Virginia.

Back to the hotel and then walked to the Countryseat Restaurant for dinner around 5:30 pm. Ate our fill of a wonderful buffet, sat and talked and laughed and then - it started raining again. Not a soft easy rain but a down pour! We had our only dry clothes on so we sat and talked and laughed some more.

We decided to leave for home at 6:30 am Saturday morning and not take I-81 and fight the trucks or that awful beltway with it's never ending construction and traffic. We would head east on 58 where we traveled through fog on the mountain tops so thick you needed a knife to cut it. Reaching Danville Don, Bernie, Shirley and I headed north on 29 planning to take 33 into Orange and then 301 to the bridge and home; a 12 hour ride but much nicer. George continued on 58 to the Bay Bridge Tunnel and then north on 113 to his home in Salisbury, MD.

Bahamas Cruise

Well this is going to be a one time post covers it all. Whole week without Internet or cell phone. I kept pen and paper close at hand so I could write about each day so here goes.

Day 1 - cannot believe this day has finally arrived. Bags were packed for 3 days. Kids were up to help us with the last minute packing which turned a 2 hour job into 4 hours but I would't have it any other way.

Picked Bernie and Shirley up at 9 AM and headed to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then to the ship. Checked the bags and worked our way through the terminal and through the security gates. Alarms started going off as I walked through and realizing it was the pins on my jacket and my belt buckle was a quick fix. Then Bernie started through and again the alarms. Assuming it was also his belt buckle I turned around to see him taking his Gerber tool out of his shoe! I thought for sure they were going to take it at the very least and at the worst we would have to leave without him. But to our surprise they let him keep it - guess he doesn't look like a trouble maker. Boarded the ship, found our cabin and then off to dinner. I had ordered an anniversary cake for dinner as a surprise to Don. After 45 years he deserves something. I had been told the waters in the Chesapeake Bay were pretty rough but we had taken motion sickness pills and nothing was too bad until around mid-night when I woke up to hearing some banging and could feel the ship rocking. The banging turned out to be the drawers on the night stand sliding in and out but after a few minutes everything was fine. Probably was exiting the bay and entering the ocean at that time.

First and second day were spent at sea so visited a few bars, went to a few shows and as the temps warmed even got to lay in the sun.

First stop was Port Canaveral Florida where we did an airboat and alligator hunting.





Had a great time. Back on ship for dinner and Shirley was impressed with the dancing and singing the waiters did to entertain us. I think she fell in love with Feland our waiter.

Next day was Nassau - what a beautiful island and great weather. It was amazing to stand on deck and watch our captain gently guide this massive ship into the harbor, turn it 180 degrees and then back into the dock. I think all 2600 guests exited the ship. Oh forgot to mention - this was spring break for the college kids and who would have guessed college kids could afford a cruise. After taking a tour of the island, visiting a beach for an hour or so Don and I headed out walking to find the straw market about 5 blocks from the ship. What a huge straw market on Nassau and I managed to purchase a few good bargins.

Freeport we took the glass-bottom boat tour and enjoyed the beautiful sea and warm sun. Another straw market and then back to the ship. Today's special drink is in a coconut carved like a monkey's head which is also a bank. Todd is going to love it.



Pulling out of port at 2 PM and heading for another day at sea before reaching Baltimore on Sunday morning. According to the ship's fact sheet which Bernie was so intent on getting, the ship's top speed is 25 knots which is about 30 mph. Heading back we were cruising at 25 knots just about all the time but never hit rough seas.



I love to cruise but I probably will not depart from Baltimore again. You do save the cost of airfare but by flying to Florida or Puerto Rico you get to the warm islands much faster.

Travel to the Bahamas

Well the 2011 travel season is just about to begin. Wow it has been a long cold winter! One more thing being marked off the bucket list - another cruise. We will head for the Bahamas tomorrow. Bernie and Shirley will again be our traveling buddies. Suitcases are all packed. Oh it is also our 45th wedding anniversary. I will not have Internet access so I'm going to handle this the old fashion way and take pencil and paper and then post when I return. See ya then.