Back to Reality

Blake was hoe for 2 weeks before heading to Iraq. the last week he was here we took a cruise to the Cayman Islands and Cozumel. In the Caymans fishermen for years have cleaned fish and threw there scraps over board and because the water is to shallow for their predators the sharks the sting rays started to accumulate there. The locals named the place sting ray island. The sting rays became very accustomed to people. They would swim right up to you and nudge you so you would pet them. They would even come up and lay in your arms. The females were about 3 feet plus wide , the males much smaller. It was amazing how soft they were underneath. Iguanas had invaded the islands, they were everywhere. They laid everywhere by peoples pools, on their docks and in there trees. I was sea sick from the little tender boats but Blake wanted to go to Margaritaville so I sucked it up and went. I drank a coke and when we got back to the boat I had to go to bed. Poor Scott he was had hives so bad he stayed in bed most of the trip but, would occasionally we would go get something to eat. If he didn't feel like it I would bring food back to the room for him.

Cozumel was my favorite. I was amazed at the heat. In both the Caymans and in Cozumel. In Cozumel Blake and I rode horses thought the Mexican ruins and back to their Cantina for beer. We then took a cab to Carlos and Charlies, one of the most popular places in Cozumel. The drinking age was 18 and Blake took full advantage of that. I learned really fast to ask the cab drivers if they had change. One of the island guys came up to Blake and asked him if he was from Texas. I guess the black cowboy hat, belt and boots were alittle intimidating for them. it was great because they really didn't drive us to crazy to but their Island trinkets.

Friday was Blake's going away party. I made little army soldiers with berets and was able to find combat boots on line to finish them off. I had deployment candles for adults and bears for the kids. Each party favor had dog tags around it saying " Our father please be with Blake as he leaves to serve our nation, for he is a hero of American freedom. It was bitter sweet and we took him to the airport at 6:00 am