Dominican Republic Vacation

My husband Joe and I have just returned from vacationing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic at the all inclusive Ocean Blue Bavaro Resort. We had a reunion of sorts with his sisters, a brother, a nephew and their respective spouses. My sister-in-law, Anne, puts these family trips together and she does a great job. The only rule is that they have to be in the Caribbean and all inclusive, which means that everything is paid for up front, including alcohol. Our extended family enjoys their cocktails, so this works out well for us.
The Ocean Blue is a beautiful resort, right on the Caribbean. There is a huge pool with a swim up bar. The beach is absolutely gorgeous. Get up early and put your beach towel on a chaise or you will not find one. We upgraded our room to the "Elite Club" and it was great when there was hot water. The view from our balcony was of a vacant lot full of trash and some sort of large blue chemical drum. There were several stray dogs roaming around. You could see the Caribbean off to the side, if you leaned over the rail. The food was edible but just about everyone in our group of ten had some sort of intestinal upset. There was a huge buffet every night where you could find something to eat and a few themed restaurants in the complex. My favorite was the Mexican restaurant. Make sure if you are in a group that you make a reservation before 3 pm. The mixed drinks were hit or miss. Sometimes good, if they used the premium alcohol, but they could be really nasty if they used the locally made brands. We liked the Absolute Bloody Mary at the Lobby Bar. But, make sure that you watch the bartender pour the Absolute! There are massages, a fitness center, a casino, a theatre and water sports. If reservations are needed, make them at the beginning of your stay.
Do not, under any circumstances, fly on Spirit Airlines to get there. There is no acceptable level of customer service. They do not even know what the term means. The flight attendants are downright rude. You can only check one bag under 50 pounds and they gleefully charge you for any additional bags. The problem is that they will not guarantee that the additional bag will get on your flight. If your flight is delayed, they don't bother with any announcements. You just wait indefinitely either on the plane or in the terminal.
However, vacationing with my in laws is a riot. We seem to enjoy the same things for the most part. Laying on the beach or by the pool with our drinks. Reading, working crosswords or sudoku puzzles. Taking in the topless tourists. Shopping or fishing. It's all good!! Until next year...great job, Annie!!

Crabbing

They have come to crab.
Men,
women
boys
and girls.
Old
and young.
Black
and White.
Asian,
Indian.
straight
and gay.
And, rich and poor,
I suppose.
They sit,
they stand,
sometimes lounging
in a lawn chair
or on a blanket
or laying on the bulkhead,
waiting.
They have come to crab.
Their children skip.
And giggle.
And play together.
No barriers there.
There are
lots of crab stories
floating around.
Which is better…
the hand line or
a trap?
The round trap
or the square kind?
And the bait:
old chicken parts
or fish heads
or leftovers?
Males are “Jimmies.”
Females are “Jennys.”
Or sooks.
There are peelers,
or are they soft shells?
But, babies
are babies
and are
tossed back
into the canal
to grow into
adulthood .
Their time
in the steamer
has not yet come.
Their baptism with
Old Bay
will not be
this summer.

Pam Monahan

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Florida

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and Lodge is about 20 minutes from Florida's capitol, Tallahassee. This is one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs. If you are not staying at the Lodge, as soon as you get there, buy a ticket for the River Tour. The day we visited, the Glass Bottom Boat tour was not operating due to poor water conditions, but, honestly, it was very, very clear. You could see fish swimming. The river boat seats a bunch of people, so get in line and sit in the front if you can. This is NOT an air boat ride; it is about 40 minutes long and well worth the 6 bucks a head. You will see tons of birds, ducks, snakes, turtles, and alligators, alligators and MORE ALLIGATORS!! If you came to Florida to see gators up close and personal, this is it!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! So, sit down, shut up, and hold on!
After the tour, go to the Lodge for an ice cream. While you are licking your cone, take a gander at "Ole Joe," a 14 foot stuffed gator in a glass case. Ole Joe was brutally murdered in 1966 and his killers have never been found. Ole Joe never harmed a human or pet and he rests in his first and only cage. If you find this disturbing, it is. Not much has changed in 40 years. Man is still the most dangerous predator to wildlife.