2020-sept 27- Oct 1 Destin, Fl. 4 night vacation

 

 Angie and Josh decided it was time to go back to a beach, so back in Aug. she started looking for availability at a Wyndham on the beach.  She didn't really want to go back to Panama City Beach, so she concentrated on Destin and Edisto.  Destin had a 3 bedroom unit available for 4 nights---Sunday-Thursday, so she booked it.  A couple weeks later she noticed the unit was upgraded to a 4 bedroom unit.  So for half the price of the 3 bedroom unit, she got the 4 bedroom (about 90,000 points).  I love our VIP privileges with Wyndham!

They wanted us to join them, so for the next month, I wondered if Ken and I would really go.  I know he wasn't tickled with the idea.  But he told Angie we would try to go.  Then came a hurricane that damaged the Pensacola area.  So I had no idea until the day before the trip if we would really go.  

After some investigating, it appeared that the area was doing ok and Layla asked him again; he couldn't turn her down.  Love having that little persuader around!

Sept. 27, 2020  drive to Destin

Sept. 28, 2020 pool and Beasley Park 

Sept. 29, 2020  Angie and Josh's 13th anniversary

Sept. 30, 2020 Private beach and Beasley Park 

Oct. 1, 2020  time to go home

Wyndham Emerald Green  4 bedroom unit

We only had to gas up once each way, so I figure that was a great vacation for about $30 each way.  The condo was "free", since we have a bunch of timeshare points.  The beach was fantastic.  

 I had been here a couple times before, but they were about 50 years ago, so I really don't remember much about it.  I didn't get to stay in high end resorts then.   The first trip was with my brother and sister in law and their infant.  We camped and my brother took the car every day to go to work, I assume somewhere in Eglin AFB.  I do remember water skiing in the Gulf with some people I met in the camp ground.  The 2nd trip was with Ken when I was pregnant with Tim.  I don't remember why we were there, but I remember getting sunburnt feet.   Wonder why we didn't go back there more often?!  

Wyndham Emerald Green-Destin 2020 4 bedroom unit

 Another drive to resort we've never been to---Destin.  In fact, I hadn't been to Destin in about 45 years.  Then I was camping.  I find staying in a 3 bedroom unit in a resort to be more enjoyable.  

Took us about 7 hours to drive there from NW Atlanta.  Check in went easily.  They took, "no" pretty well when I told them we weren't doing the owner update.  

I tend to neglect the inside pictures when we have a place with great views.  This resort even had a shopping mall below us.

Sunsets were fantastic.

right from our lanai

Maybe not the views like Panama City Beach, but still not bad.

And I kind of liked having the mall below us, even though we didn't do much but walk through it.  With Covid running rampant, we weren't going out to eat or doing much shopping.

But the unit was large, clean and comfortable. 

the 4th bedroom---bunkbeds with bathroom attached. 

odd room, but nice to have if you have more kids with you.

the master bedroom

Layla's bathroom.  Connected to her own room.

the resort from the mall

They even have their own beach. 

but it was looking like a tea party was going on at the time.

But we sat there and enjoyed the sand and free loungers and umbrellas for awhile.

We also enjoyed the free resort shuttle to/from the beach.

heading back into the mall with the resort behind it.

we even hit the pool for awhile.  Surprisingly it was a bit chilly, though.   We were there in Sept, but we had some cool days.

Layla didn't seem to mind the water temp

they have an indoor pool, too, so we went to check it out.  Much warmer, and noone was there but us.

We had a great time in Destin.  Love all the white beaches.  They even had some with handicap accessible boardwalks overlooking the beach.  I believe we will be back.
 

2020-6 Panama City Beach trip

2020-6  Panama City Beach trip

Sometime shortly after Ken's radiation and chemo treatments, Angie mentioned we should all go to a beach for a couple days.  That sounded like an excellent idea to me!  Between Ken's cancer and treatments, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the racial protests, I was ready to get away!!!!

So I hit the Wyndham site and looked to see where we might be able to drive to for a few nights and enjoy the beach.  Edisto wasn't available; neither was Charleston or Clearwater.  But for June 17-21st, Panama City Beach was available!  I'd never been there.  Angie and Josh had been there a year ago and said it was beautiful, so I didn't hesitate to book it.  I was even able to get a studio unit with a free upgrade to a 1 bedroom lower level.  Then I booked the studio for Ken and me and requested an upgrade if one came available.  Didn't take long before I noticed we were upgraded to a 1 bedroom upper unit!  I hoped I'd be able to change the kids' unit to a 2 bedroom unit, but they actually cut out reservations for about a month due to what was suppose to be a limited availability of rooms available as the resort was reopened slowly after being closed down because of the pandemic for awhile.  Wyndham was even canceling guest reservations---good thing I reserved both units in our names.

Before the 17th rolled around, I noticed that Providence Canyon State park in Georgia was right along the way.  So I suggested we stop there for a break.  Angie and Josh liked that idea, too.  In fact, that's where they finally caught up to us.

After a couple hours in the canyon, we continued on our way.  The trip took us about 8 or 9 hours to get there.  Check in was the usual routine---check in, then go to the "concierge/sales center" for our keys, parking pass, and "owners' update spiel".  After turning them down many times, they finally gave us our keys and it was time to find the parking garage and figure out how to get to our room.

They certainly didn't do a good job planning out the complex!  It's bad enough that parking is across a busy street.  Then you have to take an elevator down to the sky bridge to go to another set of elevators to go down to the ground level, then over to another set of elevators to go up to the rooms!  It made for a long trek from the garage to the room everytime we had to go anywhere in the cars.  I made 2 rts to the grocery store 3 miles away and it took over 2 hours to complete the trip---not to mention having to go over to the hotel building to get a rolling caddy to haul the groceries up to the room on!

 Oh yeah---they also had problems with Angie and Josh's room.  The ceiling fan wasn't working and maintenance was having trouble getting it to work.  They needed to work on it 2 days while we were there.  So they gave us 2 $25 gift cards and a little box of candy.  I also noticed our fridge wasn't cold, but hoped it would be ok for the short time we were there.  But by check out day, the milk and fruit had spoiled. 

June 17, 2020---drive to Panama City Beach by way of Providence Canyon

June 18, 2020---Panama City Beach beach! Duchesne house on the market

June 19, 2020---Panama City Beach and Duchesne house SOLD

 June 20, 2020---45th wedding anniversary!!!

June 21, 2020---drive back to Georgia

Wyndham Panama City Beach

I loved the views from our room, but don't know if it's worth the hassle to go there a lot.   But I had a great time.  I think the kids did, too.   I think Ken was anxious a good part of the time and before we went, but hopefully he enjoyed the little get away, too.

Wyndham Panama City Beach--2020-6 1 bedroom deluxe

 When Angie said it was time to go to the beach again, and she found 2 1 bedroom units here, we agreed to go , too.  They had a regular 1 bedroom, we had a deluxe.  The only difference was they were on a lower level (up to level 10), and we were on an upper level (level 20, I think).

Check in was terrible.  They had some of the pushiest people for the "owner update".  We were there during COVID and hubby has cancer.  I told them we were not going to the update, but they persisted until I actually got mad.  After driving 7 hours, I didn't feel like fighting for my parking pass.

But the units were really nice---at least ours was.  The kids had a unit that needed repairs on the ceiling fan.  Took over a day to get it done.  They even replaced it and couldn't get it to work.  At least they tried and gave us a couple $25 gift cards as compensation.  

I liked that even though this was a 1 bedroom unit, it had bunk beds in the hallway. 

Nice size rooms.  Being so high, we didn't hear much of the street noise.  The kids on level 10 said the street noise was bad. 

the views were outstanding!

Even saw sunset from our lanai

The resort parking lot was very inconvenient, especially if you were handicapped.  Had to make it to the Sky Bridge level, then if you had luggage or a wheelchair, there was one elevator that went down to the main level.  Then you had to go to another area to get an elevator to the floor you need.

Layla enjoying the views as much as I did.

I could look at this all day.  We did see sting rays one morning.  When the kids were there before, they watched sharks not far from the swimmers.

The table easily sat all 5 of us, even in the 1 bedroom unit.

The beach was beautiful and the water was great.

We also enjoyed the pools.  This one was not used much, being across the street by the parking garage.

A view of the Wyndham from the water.

It was a well needed break from everything going on. 
 

2020-Feb 1-4 Orlando

 

Well, if that wasn't a trip to remember----but not for good reasons!!!  It started out great!  The drive to Orlando was great.  Even Layla was super for the such a long ride.  Next couple days were great, too.  Then came the middle of the night calls and Ken ending up in the hospital back in Marietta.  

 

 2-1-20 on to Orlando with Angie, Josh, and Layla

 

2-2-20  Animal Kingdom!!!!

 

2-3-20 Disney Springs and Port Orleans:  

 

2-4-20  Emergency flight back home!!!!!!

 

2020-feb. Orange Lake Resort West Village 2 bedroom golf villa

 

 

Next day came the diagnosis that Ken has Glioblastoma!  We were told he had 12-18 months to live if he has brain surgery, then SOC (standard of care: 6 weeks of radiation and chemo).   After the kids heard the diagnosis, they cut their trip short and headed back home, too.  Thus the start of some very hard times---not just from cancer, but we were also about to be hit with the Covid pandemic!hard times---not just from cancer, but we were also about to be hit with the Covid pandemic! 

2019 Dec. Zuiderdam cruise

2019 Dec Zuiderdam Cruise: ABC islands

2019-Dec. 10-20 : Zuiderdam 10 nt. sunfarer (Bonaire; Curacao; Aruba; Amber Cove; Half Moon Cay)

It's been over 2 years since our last cruise.  During that cruise, we paid the $100/person for the FC Deposit.  Of course we had no idea of what was to come in the next year.  Ken's diabetes caused his ankle to collapse.  For the next 1 1/2 years he was in and out of hospitals and Dr.s' offices.  Ultimately it appears they were able to fuse his ankle and save his foot, but he's still a long way from moving well.  But we hope that a cruise will be a good way to finally get a little rest and relaxation.

So I booked us an inside handicapped accessible room for $750/person with gratuities included.  At that point, we weren't sure if he'd still be in his wheel chair full time or in a boot when the cruise date came.  Turns out, both.  So when prices for  a verandah cabin dropped to $799/person shortly after final payment, I called to grab one of them.  But they said we'd loose our gratuities, unless we wanted to upsell to a signature suite for $999/person---then, somehow, we would be able to keep the paid gratuities.  Sounded a bit fishie, but I liked the idea of a suite, so I took it. Only thing that was a bit annoying was they wouldn't increase the OBC for booking a suite with our FCC.  They said it stays at the level of your original booking.  At least it was only a loss of $50 OBC.  And we still had the OBC for owning CCL stock.

Then came the months of waiting to see what cabin we'd be assigned---and hopes for an offer to upsell to a Neptune Suite.  Almost a month before our cruise, we got an offer.  At $399/person, it really wasn't a bad deal, but I noticed there were a lot of cabins available so I declined it and hoped for better offer.   2 weeks after the upsell offer, we got an offer to buy into their new Club Orange.  Still not interested.  The benefits of priority boarding, special area in the restaurant for breakfast, tote bag, upgrade within booking category, designated concierge, and whatever didn't seem worth an extra $500.  But they did say they'd put me on a  waitlist for a Neptune Suite offer (whatever that means!). 

 

 As it turned out, we did get a waitlist call on Dec. 2nd (8 days before our sail date) offering us an upsell to a Neptune suite.  But they still wanted the $399/person for it.  I mentioned I hoped it would have gone down from the previous offer to which she said she could give it to us for $299/person.  So, Merry Christmas to us, I took it!  Maybe a bit much for the benefits, but I'm ready to be spoiled for a while.  I do look forward to the breakfasts in the Pinnacle Restaurant, easy access to the Neptune Lounge, and the larger table on our verandah---as well as a much larger cabin.   It'll only be our 2nd time in a suite.  Only had a choice of 2 suites to choose from. We ended up going with SA 7082.  Turned out to be a great cabin.  As I'm sure all the Neptune Suites are. 

Neptune Suite 7082: 

We had never been on the Zuiderdam before, so I'm including a bunch of random pictures from around the Zuiderdam:
 
Around the Zuiderdam:

The itinerary is one I love for the snorkeling opportunities.    Turned out Ken didn't leave the ship in ports, but I did.  
My links to each day:

Dec. 10, 2019  Embarkation Day: 

Dec. 11 & 12  Sea Days:

Dec. 13, 2019  Bonaire (and a great Friday the 13th) 

Dec. 14, 2019  Curacao   

Dec. 15, 2019 Aruba: 

Dec. 16, 2019 Sea day: 

Dec. 17, 2019 Amber Cove, DR:

Dec. 18, 2019 Sea Day:

Dec. 19, 2019 Half Moon Cay:

Dec. 20, 2019 Debarkation:


I dreaded the drive (which I did all of since Ken's driving ankle is in a boot), but the overall experience made it well worth it.  I had a great time.  I think Ken did, too.  Since this was the first real vacation he's had since his ankle collapsed 1.5 years ago, I'm sure he needed this trip, too. 

2018 Sept. Yellowstone: with Angie, Josh, and Layla

2018 Yellowstone: with Angie, Josh, and Layla:


13 months of advance planning!  Why so long?  I booked a week at the Worldmark West Yellowstone.  Like Kihei, you have to be online ready to book the resort right at 13 months out as soon as the reservation system comes on line.  Thus, after trying a few days, I ended up with Thursday, Sept. 6th -  Thursday, Sept. 13th, 2018.

As soon as I told Angie and Josh that I booked a 2 bedroom unit at the Worldmark in West Yellowstone, Josh said without hesitation that they were coming with us (which turned out to be "me").  Neither he, nor Angie had ever been there and Josh had always wanted to.  So I was excited about another vacation with some of the kids.  I had extended the invite to Tim and Faith, too, but they declined.

A lot happened in the 13 month wait time!!!  Most notably Angie and Josh adopted a baby (Layla, who was 9.5 months old by the time the vacation rolled around); and Ken developed char-cots foot and a bone infection and spent 7 weeks getting antibiotic IV infusions that ended about 2 weeks before the trip.  I was in limbo for the last couple months as to whether or not I'd get to go.  But Ken got well enough to stay on his own and even dog sit while we were gone.

Next came the debate on whether to fly directly into West Yellowstone or into Jackson Hole.  After waiting a bit too long to get tickets, Jackson Hole ended up being a couple hundred dollars cheaper per person (still about $550 rt), so our decision was made.  I wasn't too upset, I'd always wanted to see the Grand Tetons.  Ended up not being any cheaper since we ended up spending about $600 in hotels to stay in Jackson the night we got there and the night before flying back home.  We hadn't planned to leave West Yellowstone a day early, but wasn't looking forward to another long day of confining Layla to a car seat on the 13th knowing we wouldn't get into Perry, Ga.until about midnight.  So we decided to spend the night of the 12th in Jackson, too.  I'm not sorry we did.  The ride through the Tetons on the 6th, and the ride along the back side of the Tetons on the 12th were amazing!

As for Yellowstone---it didn't disappoint, either!  Weather was spectacular!  Views were more spectacular!!  Company was the most spectacular!!!!

Sept 5, 2018---travel day

Jackson Hole Lodge---accommodations in Jackson

Sept. 6, 2018--- to West Yellowstone by way of The Grand Tetons

Worldmark West Yellowstone---accommodations in West Yellowstone

Sept. 7, 2018---Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley

Sept. 8, 2018---Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano Area, and Canyon Area 

Sept. 9, 2018---Norris Geyser Basin 

Sept. 10, 2018---Midway Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Historic District 

Sept. 11, 2018---Hayden, West Thumb, and Biscuit Basin 

Sept.  12, 2018---back to Jackson

Sept. 13, 2018---Mormon Row Historic District and back to Georgia


It was another vacation I will cherish forever!  Loved spending the time with the kids and getting to see so many spectacular things.

For my blog from 2002 with some different areas of Yellowstone, click HERE