Weekend Cruise

It all started when I walked into my old job to say hello to my former coworkers. Monique hugged me and said that her family was going to be going on a weekend cruise and I should come if I was free. Almost without missing a beat I said "Sure! I mean, if you're serious I'll third wheel the shit outta that trip!" 

She gave me the details and I booked the trip. I went on a cruise piggy backing someone else's family vacation only knowing one person. Sometimes crazy adventures are just that simple. 

I'm glad I went. I had a fantastic time and I made friends with everyone in the group. They made me feel like family and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. 

Riviera Beach Port.

People enjoying the hot tub as we left the port.

Colorful kiddie pool juxtaposed in front of the industrial port.

Kiki, Kelly, Antoine, and Monique.

Antoine and Kelly.

Monique and I.

Elevator selfie.

One of my favorite places to be on a cruise is the bow of the ship. On this particular ship the bow was extremely difficult to find. Tucked away on an almost private floor through a hallway of the most exclusive rooms. At the end of the hallway there was a small wooden door without a label. Through the door was a small balcony just above the bow area and the most breathtaking view of the full moon over the open ocean. 

Pulling into the Bahamas in the early hours of the morning.

Lobby selfie.

On the bus to the beach.

The whole group: (Standing left to right) Toni, Kurt, Mike, Antoine, Dennis. (Sitting left to right) Monique, Kelly, Rosezitta, Kiki, and J.T.

Our beach trip in the Bahamas included a floating trampoline and inflated obstacle course. 

Rosezitta, Toni and I ready to head back to the ship.

Kelly leading the charge and turning the bus ride into an all out party.

Antoine with Bahamanian drummer.

Leaving the Bahamas.

Leaning over the side of the boat watching the patterns in the churning wake.

Mike, Kelly, Antoine, and Toni relaxing on the deck.

On the bow again watching the moon over a cloudier sky on the way back home.

Grassleaf Roseling

Lovely wildflower blooming just outside my apartment door. 

Florida Leaf-Footed Bug

Spotted this guy just in time before I shut the door. 

A Walk Through a Park Without a Name

During a visit home my parents wanted to take me to a new park they discovered. It was in the middle of a neighborhood, with no markings or clear name. We had the place to ourselves. 

The St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art

Museums tend to be some of my favorite places on Earth. I'll walk through absorbing as much as I can take in. Here are some of the highlights from a trip to my favorite museum from my hometown.

Seated Buddha Sakyamuni from the Gandhara region in India.

Shiva as the Lord of Dance.

Egyptian finger amulet.

White-ground lekythos with mourners at a tomb. I loved the simple beauty of her elegant, out-stretched arm.

Roman coins with depictions of Julius Caesar (7) and Caligula (9). I love objects like these: simple, everyday items that were not intended as works of art. Both from famous Roman Emperors. One loved, one hated. 

A close up of a vase by Tokuda Yasokichi III.

Mayan death mask depicting the sun god.

Michtlantecuhtli, god of death.

 Above Us.

The Undefeated by Fletcher Martin. I'm not a sports fan nor am I a huge fan of this particular style of painting. But I loved the perspective, dynamic angles, and striking composition.

A close up of Village Girl -  Lily Cow by Robert Henri. I loved the vibrant colors and bold brush strokes. 

A close up of a detail in the painting Adoration of the Christ Child by Mary and Joseph by The Master of The Greenville Tondo. 

A close up of Portrait of a Lady by Michiel Van Mierevelt. I was blown away by the smoothness of the paint and the seamless blending. The painstaking detail in the lace and the lack of color that draws the focus back to the sitters lovely complexion.

A detail of Jupiter and Callisto attributed to Angelica Kauffman. I loved the expressive hands and flowing rivers of fabric.

A close up of Still Life with Lemons, Grapes, and Plums by William Duffield. I adored the attention to detail and texture. 

A detail of a Steuben vase.

La Source by Albert Carrier-Belleuse.

South Beach

On the way back from The Keys we spent a few hours in Miami enjoying the beach, the food, and especially the people watching. 

The overcast day couldn't take the color out of this town. 

The lovely art deco buildings of South Beach. We ate at the restaurant with the yellow awning.

Sue and mom with their tacos.

And me with my flatbread. 

Walked by this restaurant with girls dancing in tight leopard print outfits, a screen projectiong the action fot the street traffic, and a man with a large parrot on his shoulder. A true Miami spectacle. 

Bahia Honda

My mother and I spent part of our trip to The Keys in Bahia Honda State Park. The calm, blue water was just irresistable! 

"Private islands" created by low tide.

The rust colored water near the shore mixing with the ocean blues.

"Island hopping"

A piece of coral getting dragged to shore by the tide. 

Mom trying to getter a closer look at the old railway bridge.