Day #5: Tourist Trap

We took the car to Starfish Point and in water no deeper than our knees, we found a dozen starfish. Much like what we saw in the shallow waters of Belize.

From here we drove to Rum Point to snorkel, but Keagan got plastic wrapped up in his snorkel tube and no fish were present. Although the water was beautiful and there was stellar WiFi access (Evan’s first priority in visiting any new place), there were really too many people for our liking. We dubbed it “The American Tourist Trap.”

We drove to Old Man’s Bay for lunch and again had superb views of the water and great jerk chicken.

Then we headed to Barefoot Beach for snorkeling. It was secluded and hard to find, but we were promised great snorkeling. However, the current was too strong and the view was compromised. Not much was seen. 

I want to make note that both boys have noticed that the local teens wear great shoes - better than those of kids in the States. Therefore, they have asked for us to take them to the Shoe Center Cayman Island. I.Am.Speechless!

Day #4: Livin’ the Dream

Keagan and Wes were up bright and early for a snorkeling trip to Devil’s Grotto. They spotted sharks, parrot fish, and angel fish. These are some my favorites but early wake-ups are not on Evan’s vacation itenerary, so he and I stayed behind. I’m on book number three of vacation and couldn’t miss chapter 22. Sitting in a lounge chair in the sun with a Dr. Pepper and my Kindle is what my dreams are made of. 

After lunch, the boys went for a swim in the pool. 

The highlight of Keagan’s day was his swimming with dolphins tour. He’s wanted to do this for two years, so this has been a longstanding dream. 

After swimming with dolphins, we drove to Hell. We had to take this picture at the local post office.

What would hell be like without some heat? The lava fields make for a great backdrop to the tourist trap.

Evan wanted to buy “I’d rather go to Hell than school” t-shirt at the gift shop. Since he did not bring his own money and I didn’t share his sense of humor, he left empty handed. 

We finished the day at another low key restaurant eating conch and snapper. Please don’t tell me we have to leave!

Cemetery Beach

This morning we took the rental car to West Bay and snorkeled at Cemetery Beach. This part of the island has the most beautiful blue water - very reminiscent of Turks. We also met our goal of seeing a spotted ray! He was beautiful!

We had lunch at a shack on the beach and had the best coconut grouper. 

Then we drove east to see The Blowholes, a series of volcanic rock that has formed air pockets that water shoots from. 

It was - and I can’t believe I’m saying this about rocks and water - captivating. 

The late afternoon is being spent by the pool, by me anyway, watching the waves crash while the boys nap. These boys have slept as much as they have been awake. It’s like they are ages 4 and 2 again with this need for daily naps. God forbid we miss the coveted nap time. 

Sleep or awake I still am having another perfect day!

A Little of This and That

Our day included a little of this 

And a little of that.

I read a book, produced Vitamin D, and took a walk on the beach. My day is done and it could not have been more perfect!

Christmas at the Beach

People, I hit a homerun this year. Isolated, beach front, two bedroom/two bath, and beautiful white sand. This year’s Christmas trip condo is so perfect I have awed myself. After today’s travel adventures, I needed this view. 

We woke up at 4:00 this morning, and at 5:00 we were texted that our first flight was delayed and we would miss our connection to the island. We were encouraged to rebook a flight for tomorrow. Tomorrow?!?! Uumm, no! We continued to the airport hoping for good news. No changes, though. The flight was still delayed. We spent a good hour and a half with an AA agent in Nashville looking for another connecting flight. It was determined we would need to spend the night in Charlotte and try again tomorrow. No offense to Charlotte, but I have zero desire to see that city and I packed no warm clothes! My heart sank! Just as we headed through security, we were texted that the first flight was now leaving earlier than anticipated - so there was a slight possibility we could actually make our connection. But it was too late. Our bags were checked to Charlotte, and although we might make it to the Cayman Island, our bags wouldn’t! 

Fast forward 45 minutes, we landed 15 min early in Charlotte, and then we learned our original flight to Cayman was now delayed. With the change in departure times, we could have made the connection after all! In the blink of an eye, Wes headed to baggage claim to get our luggage, and I headed to the ticket booth to get our original tickets back. I was stunned to learn our seats were taken in that 45 min we were in the air! We were told we could fly standby. Since we were flying standby, Wes had to bring the bags from baggage claim through security. All of my hair products, 6 bottles of sunscreen, and my lotion were thrown away. Wes had to throw away his knife because we couldn’t check the bags (and knife) to Cayman  if we didn’t know if we had made the flight. 

Then a miracle happened! The flight to Cayman had six open seats and we were able to get four of them! I called Wes and he was stuck in security trying to save sunscreen. I told him to toss it and run. Meanwhile, the AA boarding team was breathing down my neck, “Five minutes...only five more and we close the door.” I pleaded that they give me ten more minutes. I promised the boys were running to the gate. Sure enough in the far distance I can see the guys running with all four bags and three carry-ones! With a minute to spare, we made it to the door just as it was closing!

Tonight we are in 84 degree temps, wearing our shorts, eating jerk chicken, and thanking God for flying standby! With today’s stress, we’ve determined we won’t leave our beach chairs tomorrow!

Merry Christmas

Santa made it! Like every good soccer family, the boys were gifted cleats, spirit wear, and running gloves to wear on cold game days.

Evan got the coveted Cowboys blanket and exclaimed, “I finally have a blanket big enough to cover my body.” 

Keagan got his John Wall jersey and Jordan shoes. He sniffed the shoes but was disappointed to report that they didn’t smell as good as they do in the store.

I’m not sure what this means!?!?

This ones better. Isn’t he handsome? 

I ordered for myself and put under the tree a new pair of Vince Camuto booties. Wes ordered four shirts for himself, then forgot about them, and opened them with surprise. Bring 40 something is grand!

Best part of today, though, was checking my email and finding this from American Airlines, “It’s time to check in!” 80 degree temps, the sand, and the sea are 24 hours away! Eeek!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

The candlelight service on Christmas Eve is my favorite time to be in church. 

Sausage balls, loaded baked potato soup, and peanut butter blossoms make for one of my favorite meals. 

Watching the Cowboy game in the afternoon and praying for a win is a tradition as old as I am young. Finding Dak’s jersey wet and drying in the bathroom might be a new twist on an old tradition. When I asked what happened, Evan replied, “We baptized Dak and cleansed him of all those interceptions. Now we got a clean slate for next year.”

Decorating sugar cookies for Santa means Keagan tries to make the ugliest cookie and the biggest mess, Evan cares just about eating them, and Wes and I are the only ones attempting to make a pretty cookie.

Traditions. Merry Christmas Eve.