Spring Break Conquest

[travmagic]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

but also cool because I get to spend 2 - 3 weeks alone with my bike. :p

If I was another man I would want to meet your bike. If I was your wife I would be jealous!

[beer_dude]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

As to Beer Dude's comment about a week in Playa without the kids, it happens every november. I just checked airfare last night and we just need to figure out the exact dates and fly my mother inlaw into town to watch the kids.

It really is unfortunate that this trip turned out the way it did. I like to travel with the kids and I hope they appreciate the places we are able to go and the things they get to do. My kids go to Ireland every other year or so with my wife to visit my mother inlaw. I think that's pretty cool. Cool not only because they get to spend 2 - 3 weeks in Ireland, but also cool because I get to spend 2 - 3 weeks alone with my bike. :p

Your a prince and a saint for travelling with your young children and if they don't already appreciate it, they will when they get older.

How many miles do you rack up in a year on your bike? You must do some serious cruising (pun intended). Street or dirt? I did over two hundred miles last year, hoping to double that this year. I have a buddy that routinely cycles over 1000 miles per year. Loving your trip report. I almost felt the relief when you got to the beach in Playa.

[Andiline]

JTM, can't read all of it today, but I just LOVE it!!!!

[jtm1631]

Originally Posted by beer_dude

How many miles do you rack up in a year on your bike? You must do some serious cruising (pun intended). Street or dirt? I did over two hundred last year, hoping to double that this year. I have a buddy that routinely cycles over 1000 miles per year. Loving your trip report. I almost felt the relief when you got to the beach in Playa.

I ride a road bike. Been getting over some knee issues and I'm back up to about 100 - 150 miles per week assuming the weather allows for 4 -5 nice rides outside. If the weather sucks I can stand about 45 - 60 minutes on the trainer per session.

Assuming my knees continue to be pain free I should put 3,000 plus miles on the bike this year. I'm addicted, what can I say. I'll also put about 100 miles a month on my mountain bike with one or both kids in a trailer or tag along on the back over the summer months. "Faster daddy, Faster"

[beer_dude]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

I should put 3,000 plus miles on the bike this year. I'm addicted, what can I say. I'll also put about 100 miles a month on my mountain bike with one or both kids in a trailer or tag along on the back over the summer months. "Faster daddy, Faster"

Marathon Man! I will be happy with 500 Miles this year. I hope you throw in some pics of your adventure somewhere along the way.

[jtm1631]

Originally Posted by beer_dude

I hope you throw in some pics of your adventure somewhere along the way.

You know I have pics that we took, but I have not had the energy to look at them yet. I suppose before I get to the end of our journey I will throw some pictures out. We are not the greatest at documenting our trips photograpically, but I will see what I can come up with.

[TEX]

Ya know, this report is so interesting and such a good read, that i had not even noticed there were no pics posted. I am usually scrolling thru reports saying, "Where are the friggin pics at." No need to post any pics just yet, JT. Just keep the report coming, por favor.

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

I look at my wife as I start formulating my plan.

Survivor - Escape from Conquest Island.

[CaroleLB]

I cruised Carnival's Mardi Gras wayyyy back in '75 with 3 girlfriends after we graduated HS.

We spent 7 days drunk and/or stoned. I don't remember much.

It's probably better that way.

Great trip report - love your skewedness!

[Doggiemom]

Loving this trip report!!!

[jtm1631]

Someone requested some pictures so here they are.

This is one of us unpacking one of countless suitcases in the balcony cabin



Here is one of the girls in the top bunk. This was the last time the bunk was down as all of them refused to sleep up there.



This is the girls at the dining room kids table



Here we are at formal night. This shot was taken prior to the stain incident



A great shot of all my girls looking gorgeous (if I do say so myself)



Fun at the beach in Jamaica



The girls favorite hobby, DVD's on the laptop



Sunset from the ship as we were leaving Jamaica



Chillin' at Playa Maya



Got Sol?



Posers eating lunch



Ditto



Sunset somewhere off the coast of Mexico

[cuffedlinks]

Simply fabulous report...I've read your accounts 2 or 3 times already...
Your trip report reminded me of something I read once...
It talked about Camping...the stories were hilarious and sometimes almost sad but those trips helped build something they could come away with and build on...but I think the overall experiences overlap.
Remember - you're building "Family".
Kudos.

Here's a recent article that makes reference to those experiences.

Building Friendships in the Family
by Dr. Gary Smalley
05/23/05


Camping was another highlight of our kids' growing-up years. Without a doubt, they said, some of their greatest memories, some of the times they loved best, and some of the times they appreciated most were the family's camping trips. We camped a lot when they were small. As they got older we couldn't go as often because they were all involved in sports—football, basketball, track, everything you can imagine. It was too hard to get away then, but when they were younger, we camped all the time.
In the early years we frequently camped in tents, sometimes in those little pop-up trailers. Later we bought a used motor home, so it was always ready to go. We would just jump in it on a Friday night, drive to a local campground, and camp overnight. We would find a place where we could do a little exploring, tell stories, and have hot dogs around a campfire. They were wonderful, wonderful experiences. Sometimes we would take a week or two, sometimes as much as three weeks, and we would go camping in Canada, Colorado, Texas, or the California mountains.
I remember some disastrous experiences, but those were really the times that bonded us together. Sometimes the disappointments, the surprises, the battles, even the accidents, were the most important parts of the overall experience. But however great or terrible things may have seemed at the time, we all knew that we were in it together. We were a family, and somehow that was enough to hold us together.
The real and lasting importance of our camping trips was that it allowed Norma and me to be involved with our children on a personal basis, developing personal friendships with them, and forming memories and bonds with them that would be there the rest of our lives. I cannot overstress how important that has been. © Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center

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[cpfstich]

Great report & pics! Looks like yuour family had a wonderful time

[Ginger]

Love this picture, JT:



Your girls have really grown....last time I saw a pic of you and your fam. it was a few years ago after one of your trips to Mickey's World. They are all beautiful...what a nice looking family you have!

[Tony&Cheri]

We used to get up in the morning and read the Washington Post online. Screw that. Now the first thing we do is look for more installments on the cruise report. You may have to keep crusing for a long time just to keep us entertained. This is the funniest thing we have ever read. And by the way, the pictures of your girls are great. You have a beautiful family.

T&C