Cuz'n Trip - Epcot

Lee sharing her sweet little sports

car with Connie & Jan

On this Cuz'n trip we spent the first few

days with Lee, then Jan Connie & I took

off on a cruise ship to Cozumel. We spent

a few days visiting south Florida, then

a quick visit with my grandkids and flew

out of Tampa for home.

We met Lee at

the hotel, then jumped into my

mini-van and drove over to

Epcot for the day.

Niki Jan Lee Connie

We spent a wonderful day at Epcot

We had fun playing with the children's

games. Here Connie is playing the

accordion. As she steps on it,

accordion music plays. She had me take

this photo to prove to Dave that she

can "play the accordion"!

Looking out over "France"...I long to

return to Paris someday...

The evening came to an end, as it always

does at Epcot, with a wonderful display

of fireworks.

The day was perfect...the sun was out, but

it wasn't hot. The crowds weren't horrid,

and our meal at the Moroccan restaurant

was good. We took in everything we could

at a nice relaxing pace. Didn't finish seeing

Epcot, but enjoyed what we did see.

Mostly, we enjoyed each other...

Cuz'n Trip -Tony & Shelby with their second little girl - Ashlyn

Evelyn Tony Shelby Ashlyn

Tony & Shelby had just recently had their second

child, Ashlyn. While we were in town visiting

with Lee, we decided to spend a little time

with Tony and family too. Lee is a proud

grandma and wanted to show off her

grandchildren...and I wanted to see Tony

as his family grows. It's good to see him

walking down this wonderful new path

in life with Shelby by his side.

Connie Evelyn Tony Shelby Ashlyn Jan

Jan with Ashlyn while Lee and

Shelby look on

It was so pleasant to be playing with a

little one again...gave my heart a lot of joy!

It was wonderful to see Evelyn & spend a little

time playing with her. Ashlyn is a cute

sweet little girl. Can't wait to see her again

in a year or so and see how she grows.

Congratulations Tony & Shelby!

Cuz'n Trip - Blue Springs

Connie Jan Lee Niki

It was a cool day...as you can tell by our layers!

However, cold weather brings the manatees

into the springs where they can warm up.

Lee Connie Jan

Looking down Blue Springs Run

As we walked down the boardwalk the

only manatees we saw were off in the

distance... See those white things in

the water? Those are manatees

Lee Connie Jan walking along the boardwalk

Niki

We decided to stop and check out the steps

where you can walk down into the spring

and swim...and if you're lucky and the

manatee are there, you can swim with them.

Ma manatee with baby

Compared to the humans, those manatees

look REALLY big, and they are!

As we watched these slow giants move

about in the water, we lost track of time.

We all wished we had brought bathing

suits and promised that next time we'd

bring them for sure!

Lee Jan & Connie

Lee decided she wanted to share the

springs in her community with us so

we took a drive to check it out. Beautiful!

Connie Jan Lee looking out over the

spring that is pretty much in Lee's

back yard...beautiful...

The spring where Lee lives

Our last night with Lee...it was so good to

be all together and enjoying life!

Cuz'n Trip - Cruise to Cozumel

This was my very first cruise, so I was both

excited and hesitant about it. As it turned out

it was a wonderful trip. Carnival is a party

ship, and I could have done with a bit more

peace and quiet and a little less party,

but the food was good, and

the trip was smooth. Over all I had a

wonderful time!

Connie and Jan on our balcony

Leaving Miami as the sun sets

Sunrise - photo taken through the window while

I was still in bed...ahhhh...such luxury!

Our Cabin

My bed with the greatest view!

Morning at sea

Looking out over our ship to another one

docked at Key West

Docked at Key West

Tram ride through Key West

Jan Connie Niki

Pepe's Cafe

One of the oldest drinking establishments

in Key West

Yard

Passing the marker of the southern most

point in the USA

Returning to the ship after a pleasant

day in Key West

Leaving Key West

Connie is peaking around the corner of our balcony

second balcony in on the top of the photo.

On our way...

At sea

Connie and Jan (in turquoise) walking

down the cruise line dock.

The tourist area as we come ashore.

We hired a tour guide here and then

took off on an adventure of seeing

what the island was about.

As we drove along the edge of the surf

I took many photographs of the beaches

through the window. VERY few of them

turned out...but this one looks ok.

Our first stop was at the free beach

It was hard not to just stop and spend

the day relaxing here! BUT...we wanted

to see the island, so after a brief stay

we drove away from this paradise to

see the rest of the island.

This area is where the main Mayan

ruin is located. Evidently, there hasn't

been a major dig here.

El Cedral Chapel was built next to,

and on, a ruin of a small Mayan community

Connie Jan Niki

Our guide took us on a tour of the beaches

along the north eastern edge of the island

I could have sat here all day just watching

those turquoise waves come ashore.

Our guide took us to the Mayan ruin of

San Gervasio. It was once a major city

and religious center of the Mayans.

This is the road that crossed the island.

There was an archway entrance on each

side of the city.

The archway that led into the city

Lizard

San Gervasio

San Gervasio

San Gervasio

Dinner at Cozumel

This was the door stop!

Neat old adding machine...

Sunset at the harbor in down town Cozumel

As we returned to our ship it looked

like a jewel sitting on turquoise water.

Bow of ship with lights shining in

the turquoise water

Leaving Cozumel

Connie on our balcony contemplating the

peace, beauty and mystery of the horizon.

The sunset on our last evening was so

beautiful I couldn't stop photographing it!

A perfect ending to a wonderful cruise.