My island paradise...

Being in Aruba is like an extension of where I live with greater amenities... the hot weather, the sea breezes, the beach and of course the water. Its been awhile since I heard the surf lapping and crashing onto the beach and felt the sand between my toes. I came out of my self-induced coma on Saturday morning (note to self--better trip planning is a must!) raring to go and was slapped in the face by the humidity and heat (God, it felt great!). The cool thing about staying at my resort is that I can walk to visit Bob and Toni Ann at their resort and walk up to the high rises the other way... (a little over a mile each way). So I put on a bathing suit, packed my sunblock and towel in my backpack and hiked up to the high rise hotel area. I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts (a necessary part of any place I temporarily "move" to) and had my coffee and walked around to see what was new since last year. A whole new section of restaurants (Hard Rock Cafe, Papillon, Chino-Latino, etc.) was open now and that's one of the things I like about Aruba. There's always something new and different being built, but the island remains pristine and wild at the same time. I then proceeded to hang on the beach at the Holiday Inn until the security guard reminded me that the chairs were for hotel guests (my towel didn't match the guest ones) but I was there for long enough to get some color so I just moved on to a different resort. If you walk around like you belong, you can pretty much get into wherever you like... (and I did because with all the construction at my resort--mad renovations--the beach and pools at the high rises aren't as crowded).

I reconnected with my cigar lady and arranged to have some sent back to Arizona. Love the "Dominican" cigars she is able to send back to the states... I also purchased some for the week and continued my walkabout most of Saturday... (another note to self--walk in your running sneakers--blisters from the sandals not good with sand in them). That was pretty much the norm for the entire week. I either walked or went for a run in the morning (baby runs, but man did they feel good-knees didn't bother me at all), had coffee and explored the island or walked down the beach along the water's edge to the ABC and laid on the beach with the New Yorkers. Then off to dinner at our favorite places and a new place thrown in either for dinner or lunch, a little gambling, a little shopping downtown, and a lot of beach and sun time. The weather cooperated with mostly sunny days and the occassional downpour. Toni Ann and I went horseback riding on Friday (Bob has turned in spurs and saddlesores) and it was great. I got to stay in one of the renovated one bedrooms (very nice update) so I am pleased with the construction going on. All in all it was a great "relocation". My return flights were pleasant and I was back in NYC Saturday night and Sunday. Did the tourist thing, saw the tree in Rockefeller Center, St. Pat's Cathedral, Central Park, etc. My apologies to Loretta for not getting in touch earlier so that she could meet me in the city.

NYC was C-O-L-D... (34 degrees and windy on Sunday) but I put some major miles on my feet walking around. I also picked up a cold that materialized after I returned to Arizona... (I hate being sick!). My flight back to Phoenix was also a bit of a pain in the ass. After landing in Dallas a half hour early I had a 3 hour layover, but because of weather in other areas of the country my flight scheduled for 9:45 takeoff didn't leave until almost 11pm meaning I didn't land in PHX (Skyharbor Airport) until after 1am and by the time I collected my car and drove home it was well after 2am. Plus because of high winds we had a roller coaster descent into Phoenix. But the Captain did a good job and landed without a hitch. So now I'm back at home and there is an unexpected cold snap (60/38 high and low). But like all good Arizonans I will adapt. I guess I'll have to wear some long pants after all. Oh well...