The Silver Wind

WFG rented the whole ship for the cruise so there was 276 WFG people and 220 crew. We really had service during the whole cruise. A water taxi picked us up at the Westin Hotel and took us to the pier. Notice the outside private decks for each room. Very light and airy and even if the ship was sailing you could sit out there in perfect comfort and order something to eat whenever you wanted to. I ordered pizza once after an excursion and late afternoon nap and I ate the whole thing myself--so much better than American. This was an Italian ship, did I mention that? James is standing with Butch and Flo Chellia who moved here from Singapore in 96. They were so pleasant to be with.

Notice my rock decorated Houston, Texas jeans--always fun to wear. Some of the group waiting for the water taxi to take them to the Silver Wind.

The rooms were very large with a sitting room and two comfy beds in a bedroom.

The closet was also large with a dressing room as well and the bathroom was larger than mine and very luxurious. I also had a separate dressing table with a hair dryer and then there was the separate desk and a bar stocked with juices and soft drinks. etc. You didn't have to pay for anything and could order anything you wanted anytime of the night or day. Did I mention that all ready. Eating seemed to be the most important thing for everyone! Creme Brulet 24 hours a day! That first night we dressed up for the dinner and you could have as many entrees, appetizers, desserts, etc. as you wanted!! It was that way at every meal or buffet. We ate very well every breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the dishes were all so decorative--unbelievable!

Oh, yes, they provide all kinds of lotions, soaps, shampoos of a very high quality. James in the sitting room with the tv which actually had cable.

We ate with Mike and Mary Anne Hinsvark, Jarrod Hendricks and Kenya and Glenn Small--all from the San Diego area and very pleasant dining companions. And then there was singing and dancing entertainment--every night!

Next morning we could shop again before leaving Venice. We opted to stay on board--One couple was late coming back and we sailed without them!!! Took them three days to catch up with us--not a good thing to be left behind without passports.

Flight to Venice and Venice--Day 1,2,3

I flew to San Diego and James and I flew to Atlanta--no problem but we spent 6 hrs in Atlanta so we were very tired by the time we arrived at the Venice airport. However, we had breakfast while flying over the Alps and I was so impressed. I had never imagined how extensive they were. The many lakes of turquoises, blues, and greens were like little jewels and the Alps seemed to go on and on forever. Another venture someday, maybe. At the airport, James hired a water taxi to take 8 of us to our hotels, which were on canals and near the famous St. Marks Square. The captain's driving of the water taxi was extraordinary as he turned the corners and passed the Gondolas. The water was very dirty and buildings old and watermarked on the outside but the hotels and shops were amazingly clean not damp at all inside. After showering at the Calvalletto Hotel we walked through St. Marks Square and saw the Basilica (Cathedral) and then met Mike and Mary Anne Hinsvark and Jarrod and Monica Hendricks. We wandered through the small streets and looked in the shops while looking for a restaurant that Mike remembered by the Rialto Bridge. We finally found it and it was worth the search. We sat under a lighted veranda by the canal so we could watch the Gondolas and lights on the water and across the canal. The food and service was wonderful and the Creme Caramel (flan) the best I had ever had. It was a magical place. I slept well that night even with the shutters open and noise from the street below in the early am but James did not so I shopped all morning while he caught up on his Z's. There was so much beautiful murano glass, laces, handkerchiefs and leather purses plus lots of touristy type things. It was fun to watch the people in the Square --though why they would let those dirty pigeons land on their arms and hands was beyond me. When it was time to check out a man appeared with a cart and loaded all our luggage and then maneuvered the cart up and down the stairs over the canals. It was only a 10 minute walk from our hotel to the pier hotel where we left our luggage to wait for the water taxi. There was still time to shop so I found the leather purse I had come to buy and James went crazy for ties, soccer shirts for the children, tapestries and table cloths for Camber. The streets are very narrow and many, many tourists but the shops are very nice and some of them are very, very expensive (purses for $400) etc. I did not buy that kind. It is easy to see that Venice or Venezzia survives with the tourist trade but it is well worth the trip.

Sacramento Temple Open House

Marjorie, Utahna, Mona and I traveled to Sacramento Friday and met Mona's friend Sandy to tour the new Sacramento Temple. After a delicious lunch at my favorite restaurant, Brookfields, (I ate the salmon) we had a delightful tour. It is very beautiful, a little larger than the Reno Temple and smaller than the San Diego.

Can you believe that this is what I will be doing this next week? I am replacing my daughter-in-law Camber on a luxurious cruise in the Mediterranean. This is the Silver Wind, an Italian cruise ship built in 1995. Now what to pack..oh yes, the trip was earned by my son James and they won't allow infants thus Camber is letting me take her place as she can't leave Baby Kelsi. We fly to Venice Wednesday! 

Flowers the Deer Cannot Reach...

Just for the record I do have some flowers that haven't been eaten--this petunia sits too far back on the deck and along with the geraniums is about the only color that hasn't disappeared. 

What's New at at My House?

I hardly noticed this deer taking refuge behind my woodshed. He kept an eye on me but didn't move. Probably waiting till dinnertime so he can eat again--I think their rations must be getting low because more and more of the lower plants are now being eaten also--oh well, I'll think about what to do about that next summer. 

Handprints in Place...

Grandchildren handprints are all lined up--I have room for about a dozen great-grandchildren and then we will have to start on the other side of the driveway. This time I put a solid river rock where the propane man always steps--hopefully none will break this time. 

A Patio started...

Marjorie and I went to the other side of the 36 and gathered river rocks from a very dry riverbed. In about 1/2 hour I have this much of my patio--of course, I still need the sand on the bottom, etc. etc. but I will just gather a few every day or so till I have enough!!!

Family Picture

Here is the Family Pix with Linda in it and Gary and Jimmy taking pictures. We had two Matts missing, Kristi's Mike and Craig besides the picture takers. Not often we can get all of my three siblings together with their crew...

Farewell to Everyone!

Friday came so soon and everyone had to go home. Pulsipher's pulling their boat all the way to El Cajon. Hardys driving to Sacramento and flying to San Diego, then back to Rancho Santa Fe. And I drove Meagan to Redding where she was to meet Matt and his friends--the friends had all come for a High School Reunion in Eureka. Unfortunately they had a flat and were late but Meagan and I used the time getting pedicures and shopping at Macys. Oh, yes, and we also took my car for a quick lube and had a wonderful lunch at the Tecate Grill. And how could I forget getting a few chocolates from Sees. It was a good day and a great week. 

What to do at Lake Almanor?

You play on the beach and dock and you eat a lot of the time-- You play with the newest baby, Kelsi, 4 months old-- You do wakeboarding from Gary's new boat--at least Gary, Tanner, Amy, Kelly, Sarah, and Meagan did it--here they are unloading, boat is on the right. You visit-- Linda and Gary in Mom's dining room...

And you shop, fish, go to Frostie's, play games...

Tanner won a lot at Chinese checkers--

Jimmy liked the Lincoln Logs--

Fruit Basket was a hit but Murder was too confusing for some...

So what to do at Lake Almanor?

You play with your cousins-- Tanner and Jimmy, Sarah and Lea You watch and grow older-- You spend time in the kitchen fixing meals for everyone-- Linda, the chief chef. You play on Grandma's hammock--the new one, the squirrels chewed up the other one... Sarah, Lea and Jimmy

Lake Almanor Handprints

Six years ago the grandchildren did handprint decorative stones for the side of my front walk. Some of them cracked plus two more grandchildren were born so James and Linda supervised mixing the cement and creating the new stones. Messy but nice--here are the results. I didn't show baby Kelsi's. Her hand did not show well so both feet in but then one foot was smooshed so Daddy put his handprint in with her foot--cute.