Author Archives: Sparky
CV2, TN_10 and TS_10 previews
A “combo vacation” seems to be a new thing with Marlene and me. On CV1 we did 8 days on a cruise followed by an auto trip to Charleston SC, Acworth GA (near Atlanta), Orlando and Coral Springs FL. Our next combo trip will start August 10 with a 7-night cruise followed by an auto … Continue reading
“Suspicion of Innocence” by Barbara Parker
Copyright 1994 by Barbara Parker. Published by Signet, a division of Penguin Books USA Inc, New York. This is the first of at least 8 books in the “Suspicion” series featuring Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana, two Miami lawyers. I wasn’t aware that this was a series until, at the end of the book, there … Continue reading
CV1 wrapup
The CV1 was very unusual in that it was both a cruise and an auto trip. I will do wrapups for those two portions separately. The Carnival Paradise cruise This was a short, 6-day cruise with ports in Honduras, Belize and Mexico. It left from Tampa and returned there. Highlights: Lowlights: Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel, … Continue reading
“Back Spin” by Harlan Coben
Copyright 1997 by Harlan Coben. Published by Dell, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group, New York. This is the 4th of the (currently) 12 books by Coben that feature Myron Bolitar, sports agent and detective. This one is set at Merion Golf Club during the US Open tournament. Jack Coldren, a veteran pro playing … Continue reading
CV1 Day 19: Hop 6, Coral Springs FL to Ft Myers FL
150 miles via I-75, US 27, FL 80, FL 78 and US 41. Cumulative route miles: 1775. Cumulative auto miles: 1934. No lunch stop, no refueling stop, no bio break. The fishhook at the end, to stop at Doubloon Drive in North Ft Myers, was to retrieve Becky, Marlene’s pup. The extra auto mile in … Continue reading
CV1 Days 15-18: Coral Springs FL
These were four fairly quiet days with family (Marlene’s brother). The first 2 days we were alone in his house and watered his plants, did some laundry, watched TV, read and took care of his dog. We met a friend for dinner on Day 15 and socialized a bit. Her brother arrived at his house … Continue reading
CV1 Day 14: Hop 5, Orlando FL to Coral Springs FL
227 miles via I-5, FL 50, I-95 and local roads. Cumulative route miles: 1625. Cumulative auto miles: 1679. We did not use the car in Orlando. The weather was good but traffic was heavy, both leaving Orlando and approaching Ft Lauderdale. Memorial Day weekend. We made a brief stop at Plato’s Closet where Marlene found … Continue reading
CV1 Day 13: Hop 4, Acworth GA to Orlando FL
476 miles via GA 82 and then mostly via I-75 but with two major diversions, courtesy of the GPS that were too complicated to recall exactly. One was down US 41 and back to I-75 via Jackson Road, to avoid an accident. The other was through Apopka, diverting east of I-75 and entering Orlando from … Continue reading
CV1 Days 11 and 12: Acworth GA
We spent two days in Acworth (or, more accurately, a day and a half as we arrived late on Wednesday and left early on Friday), guests of Marlene’s son and his family. The purpose of the visit was to attend the high school graduation of Marlene’s grandson, Matt. We were able to do just that … Continue reading
The $900 (mis)adventure
Marlene and I have booked a 25-night cruise from Tampa FL to Anchorage AK in Aprill 2025. This will be the most expensive cruise we have ever taken together – over $2,500 each. This is because it is on the Norwegian Jade rather than a Carnival ship where we both get major discounts. But we … Continue reading »