This time last week I was in the future. Really, it was Florida, and then the Bahamas, but it was a physical glimpse into what’s coming… eventually… I promise.

Upon arrival in Orlando, we walked the half mile from the hotel to the restaurant in the dusky evening with no coats and no socks. Breathing deep the balmy air, I missed the snow and ice of home not at all.

The next day, in full sunshine, we drove to Cocoa Beach with the windows down and then walked for miles and back, bare feet kicking in the cool surf. That afternoon, we boarded the Enchantment of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean ship, and departed for seasons to come.

Our first day ashore was at CoCoCay, a small private island that is, dare I say, Heaven. We kayaked in clear water so shallow the oars dug into the fine white sand. We swam with stingrays the size of dinner tables. We rested on beach chairs and soaked up the glorious sun. Heaven.

Wednesday brought us to Nassau, a little less heavenly (my Heaven is less touristy) but equally awesome. On a snorkeling expedition, we rode a pontoon to the reaches of the sea, far from any shores. Much different from my first experience with snorkeling, at first I thought, hmmm, WTH? We slipped from the boat into the vast waters and… as soon as my mask broke the surface I was enthralled. The coral reef! Right there! Bulbous and ribbed, slender and spiky, flat and delicate, teeming with gorgeous fish in rainbows of bright colors, all sizes, shapes and lengths.


Returning to the island after a shower and nap, we decided to do a pub/app crawl like we do when we go overnight to Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee. We walked and wandered and took advantage of the shoreline as much as possible, a definite benefit over the Midwest crawls. Sharkeez provided beverage and the Conch Fritters we’d heard so much about. Senor Frog’s was next, no appetizer, just drinks. Then on to the Fish Market which houses about 30 restaurants but we visited Twin Brothers. We decided after that third stop and third outrageous tab that it’d be more sensible (cheaper) to save eating and drinking for the boat.

Thursday was spent on the boat, eating and drinking. We enjoyed the deck chairs and sunshine, absorbing as much natural Vitamin D as we could. We dipped in the deck pools.
We read and relaxed.

We did not prepare for the return home. That would come all too soon with no planning on our part.

While on the boat, we dined with new friends, laughed at Love & Marriage, were wowed by the magician and his uber flexible wife, enjoyed the musical, played trivia games, and listened to many live bands. It was the perfect respite. Thank you Brand Source!

Now we’re home. It’s still cold. It’s still snowing. But I’m here to tell you, I have seen the future (of Spring and Summer). It’s coming. And it’s so worth the wait.

*Fun Fact: On the day I returned, Friday, February 14, 2014, there was recordable snow in 49 of the 50 states. Florida was the single exemption.