| It was the September of 2009. I remember | | | | enough or that it didn't travel far enough. |
| getting a call from my wife. She had just opened | | | | Boy was I mistaken. This was just as enjoyable |
| the mail and found an advertisement for a cruise | | | | as any cruise I had been on. It was a "closed loop |
| for four nights for $299.00 each. Wow! The ship | | | | voyage", so the price was lower. The |
| was to depart from and return to Seattle. | | | | entertainment was grand and the shore |
| It was such a good deal and the port was merely | | | | excursions were relaxing and beautiful as only |
| a five hour drive from our house, so we invited | | | | Victoria Island can present to the traveler. |
| several other couples to join us on this little cruise. | | | | While I originally thought I would feel rushed, I |
| As it turned out, we were three couples heading | | | | found I was relaxed. The crew did a marvelous |
| north in one car to save on gas and parking. We | | | | job making us all feel right at ease as soon as we |
| stayed a couple nights at a friend's house so we | | | | boarded. Their energy and friendliness weren't lost |
| could visit with them while we were there and left | | | | on us. We were able to enjoy this trip just as |
| for the ship on Monday. | | | | much as we had been able to enjoy cruises in the |
| I wasn't real keen on a short cruise like this and | | | | past. |
| we weren't going very far. So, I was wary that it | | | | I think that this trip was the first hint I have had |
| wouldn't be as nice as the others we have been | | | | of days being lengthened. It happened a couple of |
| on. But, besides cruises, I also enjoy spending | | | | times towards the end of 2009. This may have |
| time with our friends and especially spending time | | | | been the catalyst that got me moving in such a |
| with my wife. Getting away from the worries of | | | | way that the days didn't just pass by in a blur as |
| home and work for this short respice along with | | | | they had for other vacations and times away |
| the friendships to be experienced and | | | | from the responsibilities that hold us down to the |
| strengthened were enough to get me going with | | | | earth. |
| a smile. I didn't worry about it not being long | | | | |