Duck Commander Cruise, Part 1

This was a fun trip, however I took roughly 306 photos so not all will be posted.

Like any trip there are good and bad memories. On the first day of our two day drive from home to the Port of Miami we got caught in a torrential downpour on the wrong side of Jacksonville, FL. With the wipers on high, flashers on and going maybe 25 mph on I-95 it was decided that we needed to get off the freeway before someone got hit or hurt. About the time we made this decision a semi hit a car on the north bound side. We pulled into a gas station to fill up. Mike stood guard as I pumped the gas. I then climbed back into the truck and waited with doors locked and my gun handy while he went to buy us something to drink. I am happy to say that we made it back onto the road with no shots being fired.

When we got to Miami on day two of our trip, we stood in line for security screening for almost an hour. A Carnival employee saw Mike's cane and offered him a wheelchair which got us priority in getting through security. However, we had to go through different lanes. The guy pushing Mike never stopped so Mike could retrieve his cane, change or pocket knives. I had to run back and get them. Once we got our room key cards we were told to wait and someone would assist us getting onboard. After 20 minutes no one came. I got a nice couple to help us and we took the escalator then got someone to give us assistance to our room.

At dinner the first night almost everyone who had early seating in the aft dining room had been assigned to the same table. It took us an hour to get seated. Then we were told to hurry and eat so the late diners would not have to wait. This was not the start I had hoped for as this was Mike's first cruise.

Good memories were several wonderful sunsets, fun shore excursions, great shows and we renewed our vows. This was our first sunset as we sailed towards Key West.

Most of our stateroom. Our room steward created towel critters for us each night.

We woke up in Key West and watched them secure the dock lines and get ready for all the photos as you stepped off the ship. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in our stateroom before heading ashore for our trolley ride around the island.

Between the 1st an 2nd tour stops some idiot in a pickup truck backed into our trolley.

We had to wait for the police to arrive and also another trolley. Ours was only dented but since it is a "commercial" vehicle it had to stay for a lot longer. On the front fender of the officer's Harley it reads 'Protecting Paradise'.

Along the tour route we saw this guy on a sidewalk. There was another larger Iguana on the lawn behind him.

As the ship sailed from Key West the Robertson clan gathered so all early diners could get their photo taken with everyone. Here are Jase, Phil, Si and Willie waiting.

Godwin was being very patient.

Jessica, Korie and Missy waiting on Miss Kay and Lisa.

Out towel critter for the second night.

Our sunset as we headed toward Cozumel, Mexico.

Stay tuned for more adventures.

Day Trip to Sparta

Back on June 26th we needed to make a day trip to Sparta to pick up some stuff that Mike had purchased on the internet. It was a lovely day for a scenic trip.

Early in the day we passed this little gem in the parking lot of a restaurant in Walnut Cove. Rather snazzy.

I especially liked this guy on the back.

We stopped at a scenic overlook. I spied this building off in the back of a field next to the parking area.

Pilot Mountain loomed on the horizon.

This was the view of the pasture land to the right of the building we had traveled to visit.

This is the road we drove down to get to the place. Thankfully, it was a beautiful, bright and sunny day. Would not want to be here in the dark, this is out in the middle of nowhere.

As we were leaving Mike and I admired the guy's chicken coop. Small but bright.

The Garden in Early June

Back in early June I took a lap through the garden. I took photos to show what we had planted. Now, thanks to a touch of pneumonia, I have time to bring the blog up to date.

As soon as spring was lurking outside the windows and doors, Mike and I started a lot of seeds and bought some plants from Lowes and Burpee. As the days became longer I started to spend anywhere from 3-8 hours a day out in the yard. There were weeds to be sprayed, weeds to be pulled in places I couldn't spray, grass mowing with two mowers - the big riding mower and then the push mower for where the big mower can't fit or go, like under tree branches in the orchard. Plants to be planted and watered and babied and dusted with Sevin to protect them from critters.

By early June we were reaching daytime highs in the 90s on a regular basis. I was surprised to see how well the pansies I had planted in the fall were holding up.

I may have to put in more than 14 flats this fall, they turned out so gorgeous.

Our yellow squash took off like wildfire. The box to the left of the squash has purple potatoes and the small plant in the front on the right is a red potato plant.

Behind the squash we planted red cabbage. Next year it will go in front of the squash.

Behind the red cabbage we planted 2 Heirloom tomatoes and a jalapeno. We eventually added 4 more jalapeno plants and a cherry tomato.

The tall plants that are blooming are blue potatoes and there are sweet potatoes in the front.

We planted zucchini.

In our elevated planter we have strawberries and carrots on one end,,,

Radishes, carrots and garlic on the other.

Our plum tomatoes.

The melon patch with 2 types of watermelon and some cantaloupe.

My sweet basil. I had to bring it in a few weeks later as the Japanese beetles were eating it.

Our celery is thriving.

And finally on another side of the house we have garlic and sweet onions.

In all we planted a lot of stuff and now, in late July we have other crops coming up and fall crops planned.

All of the following is or was in our summer garden: basil, carrots, radishes, strawberries, celery, onions, garlic, yellow squash, zucchini, green beans, pickling cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, red cabbage, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, purple potatoes, blue potatoes and white potatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon and lettuce.

After the flowers out front were removed we planted white (shopeg) corn and sweet red corn in the front flower garden. Collards will be going in soon. Stay tuned.