Retirement

This past April Coy, our oldest child retired from the Air Force. When I say that out loud it seems unreal. Our son has retired and not only retired but decided to move back to Alaska. During one of their assignments their family lived in the Anchorage, Alaska area and Coy has had a dream of buying a house with a view and being able to move back to Alaska. Coy, Evelyn, Gabriel and Raphaela left Germany and moved to Eagle River, Alaska this past April.

To celebrate his retirement Coy and Evelyn invited us to go on a Cruise from Venice, Italy and visit a few of the Greek Islands. Ron has not ever really had a desire to go to Europe but in a conversation with Coy once he did say, ” I would like to see the Greek Islands.” Coy remembered what Ron had said and planned a trip. The trip gave us a chance to spend time with Coy, Evelyn, Gabriel and Raphaela. We saw so much beauty and were pampered but the best part was the memories that we will have for our lifetime.

We visited Corfu, which is on the Ionian Islands. Corfu seems to be a delightful blend of different European influences. In Corfu we visited a Palace that was built for Empress Elizabeth from Austria who is known by many as Sissy. Gabriel has watched some movies about Sissy’s life and was excited to see the Palace. Achilles who was the Greek’s greatest warrior was part of the Palace and town of Corfu. We visited  Santorini, there are whitewashed houses terraced along the volcanic hills, beautiful views and sunsets. It truly is like being inside of a postcard. The port here is connected by cable car or mules that have to take 580 steps to the town of Fira. I met a sweet shopkeeper and bought a few colorful scarfs from her. Ron took our picture and she let me take some pictures from the window of her shop that was part of the movie, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” Mykonos is a great example of a Cycladic village. Evelyn and I were able to walk around Mykonos shops and then have lunch together. The Tazaki drizzled with olive oil and olives with fresh pita bread was mmmm so good! There are 16th century windmills that are overlooking the beach in Mykonos. Katakolo was our last stop we road in a horse-drawn buggy to see the village and ate lunch overlooking the sea.

We enjoyed being able to be on the cruise ship, Ron and I had not ever thought we really wanted to go on a cruise since we live on a boat but we were wrong. We enjoyed the cruise ship probably even more than someone without boating experience. Ron enjoyed going to see the ship’s crew at the helm, the charts and listening to the tremendous  bow and or stern thrusters when we were docking. We both agree that our favorite part of the trip was the time we got to spend with Coy, Evelyn, Gabriel and Raphaela. When I say we went on a cruise with a 9 and 2-year-old it almost makes you want to automatically roll your eyes and groan…. the kids were terrific. Raphaela was the belle of the ship. This little doll with blue eyes, curls and a ready smile was a photo opportunity for some asking to have their picture taken with her. Gabriel’s favorite activities on the ship was the buffet and the shows in the evening in the theater oh and I should mention he loved swimming when he could. Raphaela took her naps and got to bed in the evening and was a true joy to have on the trip. We say a big thank-you to Coy and Evelyn for helping us be apart of the memories made. We love you!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.