winniewoo AKA Fluffy Bunny of Terror

My cousin and his family are being stationed in the Netherlands. Both my cousin and his wife have been through language courses for Dutch for the move. I cannot yet hope to visit a place so far away, but I know that if I could… They would welcome me with open arms.

I had the opportunity to recently be present at his pinning ceremony at the Air Force Memorial for his promostion to Colonel in the Airforce. This is special since promotion during these present times is extremely hard to come by. I was so very, very proud of him. I listened to a Colonel span Michael’s career in the Airforce, with all the distinguished grad status from the different programs and the high esteem that his superiors and coworkers through his career held him in and the trust they put in him… It was truly humbling.

I hope that I can visit them during their stay in the Netherlands. They have always made me feel like family.

That is special.

My cousin and her husband live there. He builds boats… Yachts, catamarans, etc. (http://www.walworthyachtdesigns.com/) She is an Assistant Professsor of Biology at The University of The Virgin Islands. Both are WICKED smart. They make me think more. That’s a good thing for everyone. And both are the very best caliber of people. I only hope to be as tolerant, passionate, considerate, logical and brilliant. They keep asking me to visit and I am pretty sure I am not worthy of it.
They are building a house and it will be off the grid. Go green!!!! I am so proud of them.

I’ve been to Playa del Carmen twice and would go back in a heartbeat!

It’s only 45 minutes by bus from the airport and the ADO busline runs you only about7-8 bucks. It will take you to the bus station directly on La Quinta, or Fifth Avenue. Most of Fifth is pedestrian only and it’s very easy to walk to where you’ll be staying, but you can also grab a cheap cab. There are tons of VERY reasonably priced hotels everywhere.

I like Hotel Posada Freud http://www.posadafreud.com/ right on Fifth Ave. There is a little tiny bar right downstairs. The beach is 1 and 1/2 blocks away. There is a little coffee shop right across the Avenue.

Playa (As it’s called) has beautiful powder white beaches, a wonderful mix of people from all over the world, and still has lots of charm. There is a selection of restaurants ranging from Mexican to German, Italian, Thai and more. My favs were El Oasis http://www.playa.info/playa-deals-73.html and Babes Noodles and bar http://www.playa.info/playa-deals-18.html.

There is much to do,if you are inclined to be up and about off the beach chaise… There’s cenotes to snorkel and swim in. There’s Snorkeling at Yal Ku lagoon in Akumal (15 minutes away from Playa) http://www.sunnytripreports.com/playa/featured/yalku.shtml

You can take a trip to Chichen Itza http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/mayan/TourEntrance.html to see the ruins, or travel to Tulum to see the ruins by the beach. http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/aug2002.html

Here are some links on the area for more information:
http://www.mexperience.com/guide/beaches/playadelcarmen.htm

http://www.rivieramaya-today.com/news_reviews.htm

http://playamaniac.com/~playaman/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-info-trip-planning-menu.html

King Williams School, the first school in the United States, opened in 1696.

The first dental school in the United States opened at the University of Maryland.

Baltimore was home to the nation’s first umbrella factory, the first coal-burning steam engine in 1830, and elevated electric railway in 1893.

On June 24, 1784, from Baltimore, 13-year-old Edward Warren flew in the first successful manned balloon launch in the United States.

The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use.

Maryland was the first state to enact Workmen’s compensation laws in 1902.

The first practical refrigerator was invented in Baltimore in 1803.

Channel 67 broadcast the state’s first public television programs on October 5, 1969.

The 1,200-foot Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is the second longest continuous truss bridge in the nation.

Baltimore is named after Cecil Calvert who received the Maryland Colony from King Charles I. His title was “Lord Baltimore.”

The marshes of the Chesapeake Bay area, which lies in the Atlantic Flyway, harbor numerous migratory and resident waterfowl.

Annapolis, home of the U.S. Naval Academy, has served as the state capital of Maryland since 1694 and is one of the oldest settlements in Maryland.

Fort McHenry in Baltimore inspired the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The Mason-Dixon Line, named after the British surveyors who mapped it between 1763 and 1767, marks the boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania.

My father grew up on a dairy farm in Michigan. I have relatives in Grand Rapids, Ionia, and Kalamazoo. I have great memories of vacations on the orchard… Fresh apples and peaches…. Mmmmm! Digging around in the old barns, making incredible forts, swimming in the ponds and driving by the old farm to see what it looked like. It was magical to a child.

From what I saw while driving through it seemed like a beautiful state. My best friend and I were giggling wildly because we couldn’t see the “blue grass” that one hears about. Yes, we KNEW it’s not actually supposed to be blue… We were just a bit road weary.

Drove through it on the way from Virginia to Colorao. I’m sure it’s very nice. Too bad there’s not an “undecided” when rating places.

Back about 5 years ago… Went there for the weekend for a bachelorette party. Stayed at The Columns. Wonder if it’s still around… Had a great time. Loved the place and wished we were there longer.

Been maniacally searching the web on places in London I’d like to stay.
Thought that maybe Camden would be a good place. It seems pretty laid back and there are several hostels that looked good. I thought that maybe I’d get a single room at a hostel. Is this good? You tell me. I’m trying to keep costs low and I’m not by any stretch of the imagination an “expensive tastes” kinda of girl…

I thought it would be nice to be near Regents Park, etc…

Any opinions?

My best guy pal (Our families lived next door to each other in Virginia) went to graduate school in Ames and fell in love there. After graduation he got engaged and I was invited to the wedding. (For all those people out there that said you can’t have a best platonic guy pal- Poo on you!)

I drove to Iowa on my own from Denver, Colorado to prove that I COULD drive 12-13 hours straight. Oh, and because I was on a limited budget – hence no airplane ticket.

What I saw was beautiful. Granted things were a little frantic and I was only there one weekend, but everyone was very nice.

I got to know a little patch of woods quite intimately as I was crashing around through it during the bachelor party… No strippers! It was a paintball outing and for being the only gal there… I was pretty damn proud of myself for holding my own with the paintball gun. Yee Haw!

Just one bit of advice though… I don’t recommend doing it in shorts. (Hey! I didn’t know I was going to be doing commando paintball!!!)