Icewind's Ramblings

I went to a memorial service this weekend for one of my wife’s coworker’s husband who passed away while we were in Mexico after a long illness. His battle with cancer was like many in that there were periods of good and bad . . . of remission and active growth. Death is a strange beast. It lurks unseen in the corners of our life, seen on television and read in newspapers. Then one day someone close to you dies or is diagnosed with a deadly disease and the pain of it is brought home to you and your friends. From that point on it jumps out at you whenever it can. A film with a moving funeral and you're weeping, a famous person dies (Tim Russet) whom you do not even know in person and it cuts close to the bone. I can say that I did not know Don Dobson all that well. I can only say he was an acquaintance as we had only spent time together at my wife’s office parties or cook outs several times a year. I can say after listening to the stories by his friends who gathered t...

Tools was Baby Rabbit He was a friend of mine. His Mamma and Pappa Brothers and Sisters Left him all behind. He came into our house Brighten up a couple of days. Tools you made me smile a lot And I wish you could have stayed. * (Just because it felt good) On my flight home I was listening to my ipod and since then this song has been replaying itself in my head. Ice

Wednesday – Isla Mujeres – August 20, 2008 Everyone woke up for an early breakfast before heading out to catch the bus for the marina where we would be going by boat to the island called Isla Mujeres. We went to another Palace Resort on the island where we were able to access everything there and also eat, drink, and swim. We first arrived and changed boats to go snorkeling out on a reef several miles away. Beach Snorkeling This excursion had 14 people who were guided on a fantastic snorkeling trip. The water was warm there were many tropical fish all around us as the guides brought hardened rolls to feed the fish so several hundred fish were swimming with us looking for food. Where the boat dropped us allowed the current to drift everyone about a mile and a half along a reef where we could see many species of fish. Taylor & Brandon snorkeling, Isla Mujeres, Mexico The gentle current gave plenty of time to follow t...

Congratulations Sarah on being named the Vice Presidential Candidate with John McCain! Your hard work, ethics, and persistence now have two competing gas line projects moving forward in our State ( Alaska ) helping the economy, providing jobs, and moving this Nation towards energy independence from foreign oil. Good Luck and God Speed on the campaign trail. . . . and she hunts & fishes . . . Ice

Tuesday – Golf & Spa Day # 1 – August 19, 2008 A five AM wake up call started the day for Scott, his son Bob, Brandon (my son in law), and myself. We headed out into the darkness in search of the golf cart that was to pick us up outside our building. With a short wait with an apparent no show of the driver we walked to the office where we asked for our transportation. In the meantime our driver was waiting for us now at our building so he came back to the lobby to pick us up so we could make our tee time. It was cooler now in the mid 80’s and in the darkness you could smell the forest fires burning in the distance. It seems that is a nightly thing to burn off areas for development while everyone is sleeping. The few minutes ride to the golf clubhouse was enjoyable as our driver showed us several Iguanas and other animals out early in the morning. We gathered our clubs, balls, and carts and headed out to the first tee with plenty of coffee just as the sun was poking ...

Monday – Wet N Wild – August 18, 2008 Everyone woke up for an early breakfast so we could eat before the boat departure from the pier between the two sides of the Moon Palace for our 30 minute ride to the Wet N Wild Water Park. Moon Palace Resort – Nizuc Side Moon Palace Resort – Sunrise Side It was great in the fact that it was not crowded so we road everything there several times even the ‘Lazy River’ float giving us some needed breaks. The sun was hot but there was a slight breeze most of the day. Lazy River Everyone had a great time all day hitting all of the towers and wave pool. Kamikaze & Single Person Tube Ride Family 3 Person Tube Ride Wave Pool We finished up with repeated drops from the “The Flush Bowl” while waiting for the time to catch our return ferry boat back to the Resort. This is a body ride where you ended up going down through a winding tube emptying into a big ‘bowl’ much like a toilet where you went around several times...

Sunday – August 17, 2008 Taylor, Brandon, & I awoke early and ate breakfast together at one of the buffets. We leisurely ate looking for any of Scott’s family to show up. Everyone met up in the lobby to take the scheduled tour of the facilities @ 8 am with the staff. Pools with ocean view It showed off all of the existing places as well as what was being built or scheduled over the next several years. Presidential Master Bedroom suite Presidential Living room suite Presidential Double Bed Suite Wet Bar Scott & I wanted to check out the golf course so we made sure everyone came out for look with us and then decided to eat lunch in the Golf Course restaurant which turned out to be excellent (best meal so far). Golf Clubhouse The course was beautiful and the staff seemed to enjoy everyone coming out to give it a look before we come back in the morning to play. D. & Scott at Golf Course After lunch we decided to head into Cancun ...