Baja Mexico Cruise, Day 2

Day 2: Santa Catalina Island

One of the best things about the group we traveled with was that all of us were punctual. Can I tell you how nice that was? Not having to wait on anyone, setting a time and having everyone show up? I am pretty anal when it comes to time, so this was a happy little detail. 

Our first port was Santa Catalina Island off the coast of LA. At first I kind of stuck up my nose at going to this port because I thought Blake and I had already been here before. Apparently not, because as I saw the scenery, nothing looked familiar. I was getting Catalina Island confused with Coronado Island that is off the coast of San Diego (where Blake and I went almost 10 years ago). So we were happy that we were going someplace new after all. And much to our surprise, this ended up being the funnest day--and we took a ton of pictures.

First, Catalina doesn't have a dock big enough to accommodate a cruise ship, so we had to anchor in the ocean and have these tender boats ferry us back and forth. We saw tons of dolphins and seals doing this--it was awesome.

on the tender boats--it was a little chilly at 7:30am

Watching seals in the harbor

dolphins

pelicans

 Since the only access to the island is by boat, there is only one gas station on the island and gas is over $6.00 a gallon. To compensate for this, all the locals drive golf carts around the island. We even saw a FedEx golf cart. We found a golf cart rental place, got a map of the island and off we went on our adventures.

While taking pictures at this spot, I dropped our camera case down this rocky ledge and into the ocean. I would have just called it a loss, but Blake scurried down and was determined to save it.

Morgan, Colby, Blake, and Blake

Melanie, Liz, Courtney, Sylvia

We saw a small, about 3 ft long, shark swimming along the coast

There were tons of beautiful overlooks that we stopped at to take pictures

our sweet rides

We stopped at a place that was called a "botanical garden", but really it ended up being just a bunch of cacti

my skirt is wet from Blake's dip in the ocean

 Because the botanical garden turned out to be kind of a bust, we took silly pictures instead

 Then, we continued on our drive around the island.

Our last stop was to the beach

We headed back to the ship for a meal

Blake and his two ice cream cones

 Then we played on the waterslide

 A seal that swam right by the boat:

Dinner that night: lobster and prime rib

 After dinner we decided to do some Karaoke and had a blast. Blake got hit on by some cougars

 On even got a little fresh and went for a butt grab

Blake dancing with older lady friends

The boys doing their thing

The girls' turn

Blake as Johnny Cash

The whole night was really fun and I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life!

Good Night!

No Kids Allowed!!

Blake and I love going on vacation without the kids. If you haven't tried it lately, you should. Even just a quick weekend away. Oh to relax, not worry about if the kids are happy/cranky/tired, have been fed, are entertained, behaving themselves, battling with eating, worrying about naptimes/bedtimes....oh it is pure heaven, I tell you! Reconnecting with your spouse, remembering why we got together in the first place...laughing, staying up late, doing what WE want to do. We are looking forward to fun filled family vacations to Yellowstone and Disneyland with the kids...but later...much later. When they will actually be old enough to remember it/appreciate it. 

Anyway, Blake and I were hooked on cruising after our first cruise almost 2 years ago. It really is the best way to travel if you want great food, great accommodations, built in entertainment, and a chance to do and see some new things. That being said, although this cruise did offer those things, I would NOT recommend this particular cruise if you are hoping for something exotic or exciting destinations. Overall, our first cruise to the Caribbean was way better. What made this cruise so fun was that we went with 3 other couples and just enjoyed the "cruise--being on the boat and what it has to offer" part, not so much our destinations. Plus we got an amazing price--that doesn't hurt either.

Cruise Day 1

We got to Long Beach, CA and shed our winter clothes for some warm sun. What a glorious feeling. Also, our friend Colby lost a game during our travels and he had to wear the snorkel gear all through the check in process.

Our stateroom

Blake, Colby, and Blake

Melanie, Courtney, Sylvia

 Our boat was docked next the Queen Mary, an old retired cruise ship. Now it's a hotel and restaurant. Looks very Titanic-y. I loved it.

We all got head, neck, shoulder massages from the Spa on board

 One thing Blake especially loves about cruises is the food. All you can eat all of the time. This is probably Blake's 3rd or 4th lunch on Day 1. A midday prime rib, who can beat that?

 Like Blake's expression? He's trying to cop a feel in this picture.

 Our gang: Morgan & Liz, Colby & Melanie, Blake and I, Sylvia & Blake

relaxing on the deck chairs, enjoying the ocean view

getting ready to set sail

 Off we go!

We ate dinner in the main dining room where you get a 5 star meal each night. Also each night, our waitress (far left) and the other staff would do a dance during dinner and we would get up and do it with her. We made total fools of ourselves, but we were never going to see any of these people ever again

I love the towel creations the staff leaves for you each night

I am trying to remember what else we did that first night. We went to a live show they had in the theater, explored the ship, got in the hot tub later that night and stayed up late! I love the first day of vacation, you are just exciting to be there and soaking everything up..looking forward to the week ahead.

Party Time!

More of Porter's 1st Birthday. It's a huge picture dump, and they pretty much speak for themselves:

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...

 

I am pretty dang proud of this cake! I have always bought Brooke's cakes, but I felt up to the task of making a very hungry caterpillar cake.

 Pinch is always trying to give the grandkids chocolate and I always scold him when he tries to give some to Porter. Now that he's one, it's chocolate time! Thanks, Pinch!

 Cake Smash time!

 Shopping for Porter's birthday included me going down in the storage room and finding some of Brooke's old toys. As you can see, Brooke was right in the action wanting to play with them again.

Mom and the birthday boy

Thanks, Aunt Nicole for the new quilt! We love it!

 Singing Happy Birthday

Cake Smash