Bead Cruise 2010

On my list of Bead Cruises, BC 2010 has to be the number
one best cruise ever. Heather has totally got the planning
part down. This years group might have been just a bit
smaller than previous years, but it didn't lack in anything.
The ladies were absolutely the funniest and sweetest yet.
Our teachers were very talented, and just as much fun to
be around outside of the classrooms. Our days were filled
with beading, hanging out with the other cruisers and in the
evening we were shopping with Bella Modo...who I must say
has the biggest line of Swarvoski crystals, Vintaj brass and
anything else you could have wanted. Pam and Belinda were
so very sweet, and Belinda was the most knowledgeable
person I've ever seen when it comes to Swarvoski.
Unbelievable!

Our second stop on the cruise. St. Thomas Island.

A view of our ship from across the bay.

Next stop was St. Maarten. There's a French side and a

Dutch side of the island. Anywhere you wanted to be still

had beautiful beaches and clear blue water. Warm sunny

days and gentle breezes. There is nothing wrong with

wanting to live on an island.

Tomorrow I will post some more about the Cruise.

I have lots of pictures and things to talk about.

Mackinac Island Review

I went through the pictures that I took from our trip
as chaperone's of 18 Juniors and Seniors. So with that
being said here is our trip (the short version). You can
see more pictures on my Flickr.

Here we are, two of the 6 chaperons. My sister Sue on the
left and me on the right.

Our group of young adults from the Tech Center.
Purpose of this trip was to explore the possibilities of
Hotel Management. It was really interesting to me, I had
more questions than the kids...

It was more about the horses by the time we got to the
island. Horses everywhere. Jennifer are these
Gypsy Vanners? They were beautiful. All I could smell
was horses everywhere we went. Much nicer that car and
diesel fumes. I know, you probably have to have been around
horses to know what I mean.

These were the guys that took us for our buggy tour
around the island. Hard working horses that's for sure.

One of the scenic areas we stopped at. It was a chilly, but
sunny day. Our wagon had blankets we huddled under.
The only flowers to see were some daffodil's. No leaves on
the trees at all. In fact we saw a pile of snow in the shade
of a tree.

Outside the Grand Hotel.

The second floor lobby where you could lounge. The

man who decorated wanted to bring the feel of the gardens

indoors. Lots of flowery colors, but not over powering.

We had a short talk from the hotel manager and then we

went in for the buffet luncheon. 80 feet of tables loaded

with the best food I have ever had.

Overlooking the town from the top of the Grand Hotel.

A quiet downtown street. It must get pretty crowded in

the summer.

If you didn't like to walk or ride horses. And if the wagons

didn't do it for you either, you could rent bicycles. There

are hundreds of them everywhere. Living on the Island

could be a healthy, if not expensive, way to go.

Speaking of healthy foods, look at all that fudge.

Fudge everywhere, any flavor you could want. I think I

bought 3 pounds of it. I don't care if I ever have fudge again!

Seems like every other store sells fudge. Their claim to fame.

Our favorite came from Jane's. Yummo!