Quartzsite Cruiser

Good morning from Quartzsite where the skies are beginning to clear. I saw the moon when I opened the blinds earlier this morning. It is 57F with a predicted high of 73F. There is a 9mph wind, so it will be chilly for a while, especially with the 59% humidity and a dew point of 42%. Not much on the agenda today, so we may start putting the tax information into Turbo Tax. We should all be aware of Anosmia since losing your sense of smell is not good. Polar bears are interesting, and I hope they can survive with their habitat changing. I read an article recently that scientists have become aware of some polar bears beginning to adapt to a new environment. Someone can have my Kahlua. Another quote by Mark Twain that is true. We'll pass on the meal, since DH is not a fan of lamb. We'll also pass on the drink, but might try the wine. We have not been to Phillip Island, so thank you to all who share pictures today. I will celebrate the first magazine dedicated to women published in 1693. There are not as many women's magazines left today. @grapau27 Graham, thanks for telling us about Anosmia Awareness day. @Haljo1935 Elizabeth, your weather this week proves how wacky Texas weather can be. 😉 @dfish Debbie, I'm sorry the heating system is acting up again. It sounds like you will need to get someone to look at it and show you how the system works. @cat shepard Ann, I'm sorry your sister is sick and at the ER. I hope she will be feeling better soon. @Mr. Boston Welcome home. It looks like you had quite a detour getting from Florida to Boston. @superoma Eva, I hope the very severe weather misses you, and any other Dailyites in the path of the storms. @marshhawk Annie, good to see you back here and keeping us up to date on the outside kitties. You were missed. @dfish Debbie, @summer slope Dixie, and @Sharon in AZ Sharon, it looks like we were on the right sailing of Koningsdam. It appears there is a Noro outbreak on board now. Lenda

Terri, I'm glad the numbers on your blood tessts are normal. I hope you get some help to feel better. Safe travels home today. Lenda

Thanks for the pictures, Tony. @aliaschief Bruce, have a safe flight, and enjoy your time at Ayers Rock. Welcome back, Annie. I can't believe it too so long to get everything fixed. Lenda

We sailed the Beagle Channel twice. The first time was in 1999 on Noordam III in the pre-digital age. This was the last trip around the Horn for that year, and when we reached Cape Horn, the seas were so calm they were almost glassy. The crew could not believe how calm it was, since all the other times that season, it was very rough at Cape Horn. Our second time through the Beagle Channel was in 2015 on Ruby Princess. That year, the seas were very rough from the Falklands to the channel. We were supposed to sail around Cape Horn, but due to the rough seas, the Captain kept the ship behind Cape Horn and in the calmest water he could find. These are just a few of the pictures of the Beagle Channel. When we were in Ushuaia in 2015, we did a tour to Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and to the end of the Pan American Highway. At that point, it was Highway 3 from Buenos Aires, The last few miles of the highway are not even paved. First, @StLouisCruisers posted a picture of the monument at Cape Horn. This is the lighthouse, and the keeper's house on Cape Horn. Looking up the Beagle Channel from our aft balcony. The next ones are at the end of the road. Looking from the end of the road across the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia as we left port. Lenda

Good morning from Quartzsite where we have another dreary, cloudy day. It is currently 58F with a predicted high of 74F. Yesterday our high was 81F, but with the cloud cover and light wind, it did not feel that warm. If the forecast holds, we should see the sun beginning tomorrow afternoon. Black lives do matter along with all lives. However, black lives seem to be in more danger now. I believe we celebrated Carnival Day a couple of weeks ago. I try to seize the day everyday, not just on Carpe Diem Day. The complete quote is good. Thank you, Rich, @richwmn for providing the complete quote. We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine today. Syrah is the one red wine I do not care for, but DH tried a Syrah on our cruise which he really enjoyed. We have sailed the Beagle Channel twice, and I'll look for my pictures in a few minutes. The pound note and RADAR are worth celebrating. While giving countries to other countries was acceptable in the past, I don't think it should be celebrated in this day and age. @grapau27 Graham, thank you for the explanation of Carpe Diem Day. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, congratulations to Ren and his team on the win Saturday. I'm sure they were thrilled to practice with the pros. I'm glad your DD and DSIL arrived safely in Madrid. Sending positive thoughts to your DGD that her deposition is not difficult and does not cause nightmares. @Nickelpenny Pennie, thanks for the photos of the Neptune Ceremony. It's always a fun time on a ship. @Mr. Boston Safe travels today. @0106 Tina, thanks for the picture. The girl's sign says it all. @dfish Debbie, I hope the repair on the heating system is an easy and not an expensive fix. @Cruzin Terri Terri, safe travels today and tomorrow. I hope all the appointments go well, and the blood work is all in normal range. @ottahand7 Nancy, I hope you have a great day, and safe travels tomorrow. @summer slope Great news, Dixie. I'm glad he got it all in one pass and you were out of there in one hour. Lenda

@summer slope Dixie, best wishes for your MOHS surgery. I hope the doctor can get it all with one pass. Lenda

Good afternoon. Finally, I am caught up on everything that needed to be done after the cruise. I also finished going through the pictures from the cruise, getting rid of the bad ones and weeding out the duplicates. Everything is backed up on two chips and an external hard drive. The pictures are also loaded on my tablet. Now, I can tackle other chores, and hopefully have time to relax on the patio with my book in afternoons. Vanessa, I'm so happy for you getting more sleep and with 75% improvement in the pain and numbness. I know it was a big deal to be able to shower without the shower seat, and I remember how thrilled DH was when he reached that milestone. I hope the decrease in pain continues and you also continue to be able to get more sleep. Karen, if there's not a law that you lose 5 pounds when you get a haircut, there ought to be one. I know I feel lighter after a haircut too, even though I have really short hair anyway. Ann, I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise, but I'm sorry you now have a cold. I hope you feel better soon. I'm sorry your are still fighting dull aches in your back and legs. I hope time will help ease the aches. Dixie, those are very pretty azaleas. We had some nice ones when we lived in South Carolina and North Carolina. They don't seem to do as well in our part of Texas, and don't even think about planting them in this part of Arizona. Lenda

Denise, It sounds like you and your sister are really exploring all possibilities. Good luck with the future plans. Welcome to CC and to the Fleet Report/Daily. I hope you join us often. @Mr. Boston Welcome home. Lenda

Good morning from cloudy Quartzsite. It is currently 55F with a predicted high of of 78F. Our humidity is up at 54% with a dew point of 41F. I'm sure that will change as the day warms up. Last night, I wanted to see the full moon rise over the mountains east of town, but the clouds were too thick. I saw it later when there was a slight break in the clouds. On a clear night when the full moon rises, it is simply a spectacular sight. I had to smile when I saw Let's All Eat Right Day followed by National Chocolate Covered Nuts Day. I know nuts are healthy, but I'm not sure if chocolate covered ones fall into the category of eating right. I have been trying to get us eating right most of the time, and I do like chocolate covered nuts, peanuts and almonds particularly. We also enjoy New England clam chowder, but haven't had it recently. The Samuel Butler quote is a good one, and mostly true. The meal sounds good, and would be a good breakfast when the "kids" are here, especially the vegetarians. For the carnivores, I bet you could add some bacon. We'll pass on the drink, but DH would probably like the wine. We have not been to Jakarta -- yet. I was surprised to read the first legal tender in the US wasn't until 1862. I know for a time, each state issued their own script which caused problems. @Nickelpenny Pennie, I'm glad you enjoyed Devil's Island yesterday. We've been there twice and had a good time both times. Thank you for the wonderful pictures. @aliaschief Bruce, safe travels to Ayers Rock, and have a wonderful time there. @RMLincoln Maureen, thanks for the update on your DSIL. I hope the transfer to rehab goes smoothly. @ger_77 Safe travels on the road today, Gerry. I hope the group can stay together. @rafinmd Roy, thanks for the pictures of the school President Obama attended. @dfish Debbie, don't worry about sleeping in. I doubt Dailyites will ever go hungry. Lenda

@Lady Hudson BON VOYAGE, Katherine. I hope you and your sister have a wonderful week. Lenda

Gerry, try Amazon. That's where we bought the last batch of Meclizine. My guess is that Amazon in Canada would have it. Well, I answered this as soon as I saw it, and before I found all the other answers. What we got was Meclizine HCI produced by Advanced Pharmaceuticals. Lenda

Good afternoon. First, a correction, as DH caught a typo I missed this morning. Our predicted high is 74F not 54F. I am working on my pictures from our cruise and reliving wonderful memories and visiting with three Daily friends. BTW. DH's brother and girlfriend boarded Koningsdam the day we disembarked for the 35 Hawaii-South Pacific cruise. The timing was such that we didn't get a chance to visit with them except by phone. DH just told me that some of the weeds are beginning to die after I sprayed ground clear the other day. Others are still hanging in and looking robust. Elizabeth, our belated condolences on the loss of your brother. Sandi, our condolences to you and Dennis and to Bob's wife, family and friends. It's never easy losing someone special. Thank you for the update on Annie and Chuck. I hope they can get back to work and The Daily soon. Debbie, I hope the repair to the heating problem is an easy and not too expensive fix. These things seem to happen on weekends and holidays. Vanessa, I'm glad you are getting a bit more sleep, and I hope the pain has eased as the day progressed. Good luck on repairing the grandfather clock. @aliaschief Bruce, I'm glad the seas have finally calmed down. Enjoy the smoother ride. Lenda

On March 5, 2014, we had a lovely day in Zihuantanejo/Ixtapa when the Veendam anchored off shore in the bay. It was a good day to celebrate DH's birthday, too. Mexico is one of the few places we don't rent cars. That day we walked around Zihuantanejo, and then took a taxi to Ixtapa. If you haven't been there, it is like the old town of Mazatlán and the Golden Zone. We were glad we saw Ixtapa, but much preferred the older Zihuantanejo. Ixtapa was too modern, and resorty for us. The beginning of the street near the tender pier. The open air fish market One of the lovely beaches in town Local shopping We walked around Ixtapa, then walked through a resort to their beach. We tried to buy cokes at the beach bar, but since we didn't have a room, we couldn't get one. The beach and hotel Interesting rock formations off shore Once back in Zihuantanejo, we stopped at the bar on the second level of this building. By that time, we might have gotten a couple of beers. The view from the bar of the plaza leading to the tender pier Looking back at the beach and town while waiting to board the tender. Lenda

Good morning from Quartzsite. We have another cloudy day, and it looks like the clouds will hang around into Monday. It is currently 51F and headed to a high this afternoon of 54F. I like tortilla chips. I remember the trading cards that came with a piece of bubble gum, but I never traded cards. I did not watch Twin Peaks. The quote by the Dalai Lama XIV is very true, but it can be hard to put into practice at times. We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine. Although Riesling is my go to white wine, I do not like sweet Rieslings. We were in Zihuantanejo/Ixtapa on March 5, 2014. It was the last port on Veendam's Panama Canal round trip. I'll post my pictures in a few minutes. The Gregorian Calendar solved some problems with the Julian Calendar. @Nickelpenny Pennie, I hope you enjoy Devils Island today. @cat shepard Welcome home, Ann. @MISTER 67 Welcome home. @ottahand7 Welcome back, Nancy and John. Save travels home the next few days. @Cruise Suzy BON VOYAGE! 🛳️ I hope you have a wonderful cruise. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, thanks for the great pictures. We also liked the old Regal Princess, and I'm glad she is still sailing. @Cruzin Terri Terri, I hope you get a good report from your PCP and that the wound on your leg is not a big problem. @Kakiwynn Welcome to the Fleet Report/Daily. I hope you drop in often. @ger_77 Gerry, I'm glad you were able to give your friends some comfort on a sad day. The moon shadows in the desert are also wonderful. @RMLincoln Maureen, I'm glad your DH is doing so well after the surgery. I hope you get rid of the pinched nerve pain. @tupper10 I'm glad you are feeling better. Take care and don't overdo until you are completely over Covid. @smitty34877 Terri, I understand how you feel about sharing too much, but I found great comfort from the support of this amazing group of people. Please remember we're all here for you even if we can't lend a helping hand. Lenda

Bruce, we got a roll of duct tape from our cabin steward once to use on a wayward closet door. Lenda

Good afternoon from a still cloudy Quartzsite. We decided to go into town for a drive-thru breakfast. When we got home, I finally caught up on the last of the paperwork, and I can now see my desk! This afternoon, I plan working on my pictures from our cruise, and if there's time, sitting outside with my book. Thank you, Graham. Tony, enjoyed the lovely pictures. It looks like we've been on at least two cruises together. Maybe next time we'll finally meet. In 2014, we stayed on Veendam for the roundtrip through the Panama Canal. That cruise is memorable since we were under code red due to a Norovirus outbreak from Cozumel until we returned to Puerto Vallarta, and then from Cozumel to San Diego. Infected passengers just would not isolate until they were well. We were lucky not to get sick, but even Captain Peter Boz was sick. I felt sorry for the crew who were constantly cleaning and sanitizing, including one day having to close half the Lido because of passengers who would not isolate. Not the way you want to remember a cruise, but the crew and officers did an outstanding job trying to control the outbreak and keep the ship healthy. Vanessa, I'm glad you got more sleep and that you have some relief already. I hope that continues to get better. I can't give you a definitive answer on how long the shots will last since they did not help DH. However, he did get relief from steroid shots in his shoulders and hips, and they lasted quite a while. The ones in his knees lasted about ten months. Thanks for your pictures of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. It is a lovely and peaceful place. Brenda, thank you for the beautiful pictures from Kona. Lenda

My pictures below are from our three BHB stops in Kona, We were there in 2014 on Veendam, and in 2017 and 2018 on Westerdam. We rented cars those days and drove north to Kapaau. I have a few pictures of the area near the tender dock that were taken in 2017. King Kamehameha statue outside the visitor center in Kapaau, and the view across the road. A couple of pretty birds on the grounds of the visitor center. For the garden club The rugged coast near the north point of the Big Island Lapakahi State Park A lava tube close the the highway. We did not venture from the roadside. The area near the tender port Lenda

On February 9, we did the Kona Highlights tour as part of our HIA package. We had a beautiful day for touring. The coast and the Atlantis submarine being towed to it's dive position. While waiting for our check-in time for the tour, I walked down the main road to the Church and the Palace. First, the beach and swimming area just off the tender pier. The view from our first stop, a coffee planation. These buildings were part of their processing facility. Our second stop was St. Benedict Catholic Church in Captain Cook, Hawaii. It is known as the Painted Church. The interior was painted by a priest using house paint. Part of the grave yard The memorial to Father Damien. The original steeple Our final stop was a National Park which was the Royal Compound and is considered sacred by native Hawaiians. The Royal compound and sacred ground Lenda

Good morning from cloudy Quartzsite where it is 55F. The skies should clear, and the high this afternoon should be 75F, but I suspect it will be higher. Yesterday we reached 80F. Several Winter Olympics ago, we started watching the curling events. That is when we realized there is more to the game than just sending the stone down the ice. Diesel engines are work horses, but we're glad we no longer have a Diesel pusher motorhome. I'll also stand up to bullying. The quote is true, but I smiled when @Mr. Boston added the other two constants -- death and taxes. We'll pass on the meal and drink. The wine sounds nice, but a bit pricey. We were just in Kailua-Kona on February 9, so I have some new pictures to add to those I posted previously. The area was nice, but the organization of getting the tours off was pure chaos. We did a HIA tour and saw places we'd not seen before when we rented cars. Three interesting days in history, but being a Texan, I can't really celebrate the siege at the Alamo. We honor March 6 the day the Alamo fell. It was a sad situation, but it spurred the Texans to continue their fight for independence from Mexico. @kazu Jacqui, I hope you can get home before the "mess" arrives. @ger_77 Gerry, we found the food in the MDR generally better than it was in 2021 and 2022, but the steaks were not as good. The rustic lasagna was available everyday. @Mr. Boston Please wish your DH a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY for us. Lenda

@lindaler Linda, I hope you have a great day on your birthday. Lenda

Jane, I hope you hear from the doctors soon, and you are approved for the experimental treatment. Lenda

Good afternoon. It's been a busy day, but all the information for our taxes is now assembled and ready to start the work of inputting it into Turbo Tax. We went to the Post Office and got our mailforwarding verified. I had two forms to show both the physicals address and the PO Box number. They would only accept one, and DH's driver's license. The clerk scanned just about everything, and then we were good to go. We had a confirmation email when we got home. As soon as I finish here, I'm going to spray the ground clear in hopes of getting rid of the weeds, etc. They are getting rather high and thick. It will be nice to do something outside and physical instead of sitting at a computer. Tony, thanks for the pictures of Helsinki and especially of the old Rotterdam. That was the last ship we were on before the shutdown in 2020. We wish they still more of the R class and some of the S class ships. Maureen, I'm glad they got approval for Rehab for your DSIL, and I'm sorry about the complications. I hope the eye doctor appointment went well. Thanks for the pictures, Bruce. That area is on the bucket list. Please be careful when moving around the ship. Roy, I hope your PSA numbers do not continue to rise. Brenda, thanks for the lovely pictures. Our condolences to your friend and her family on the loss of her son. Vanessa, I'm glad the anesthetic worked quickly and has now worn off, but I'm sorry the pain is back. Graham, I'm glad Pauline's retail therapy and time together helped brighten her friend's mood. I hope her friend is getting some grief counseling after the loses of her loved ones. Lenda

@dfish Debbie, you have mail. There is also something you might like in the link I sent. Lenda

Vanessa, thanks for checking in. I'm glad the procedure is finally done, and that BFF is there taking care of you. Hoping the steroids give you some relief. Paul, that is a great day to celebrate. While we normally don't watch hockey, we did see that game. Lenda

These are the pictures from our 2005 and 2016 visits to Helsinki. In 2005, I did not take many pictures. We docked near downtown, and just walked around. On our last visit in 2016 on the Prinsendam, we were docked out by the shipyards. That day we took the shuttle into town, then we walked around. Before taking a tram from the shopping street to the end of the line and back, we wandered through some of the stores. The pedestrian shopping street. Inside the tram We passed this brass band on our walk An interesting building Eventually, we walked back to the shuttle pickup point. While waiting for the shuttle, I took some pictures of the waterfront area, including their big Ferris wheel. Lenda