Travel

This trip we stayed at the Gulfcrest on Thomas... it's just east of the Summit, behind my favorite bar, Ms. Newby's.

The one downside was the parking garage elevator-- my husband got trapped in one for over 30 minutes before maintenance had to come pry apart the doors, and while this is certainly a freak elevator breakdown, the mechanisms designed to assist in case of emergency also failed, as the emergency call button dialed out for help, yet the person answering the calls couldn't hear anything being said through the microphone. While searching the complex for my missing husband, we heard a distinct SOS being played out using an elevator alarm button...

As for the rest...
Beautiful complex, covered parking garage. Great fitness center, all new equipment, treadmill, excercise bikes, both weight machines and free weights. Beautiful pools-- 2 large pools, 2 children's waders, and a hot tub, all crystal clear and clean. Deck area also spotless.

Condos are two bedroom with about 1300 sq. feet, beautiful view, the balcony extends the entire length of the condo with sliding doors from the master bedroom and the dining area.  Unit feels like an apartment or penthouse with alot of open space.

 

 

While in town, we went deep dea fishing. I always try and go once a year, sometimes smaller charters and other times the larger tours. Since my husband's intern had never been on the ocean before, she and I picked a short trip on the Jubilee. We missed the boat by three minutes, and she decided to try the eight hour trip which left a little later. So we signed up for the Treasure Island, run by the same company.

They are located at the treasure ship, between Hooks and the Seafood Market. I wasn't paying attention to the layout, and we were "lucky" enough to be placed at the front of the ship. The Treasure Island is a large, older boat, and unlike the Jubilee you are encouraged to bring coolers...anything but hard liquor is fine. There are no concessions on the vessel so its important to bring LOTS of water.

So about an hour into the sail on calm waters my friend turns gray and breaks into an all over sweat. She spends about ten minutes staring at the fishies while leaning over the rail hoping not to hurl. At one point she starts to pass out, but a few moments later it passes and she recovers completely. After two hours of sailing (did I mention the age of the boat? Its also SLOW ) we fish and my first drop I immediately pull a 12" red snapper. Too small but I at least get the photo opp. A few lane snappers are pulled in by the other fishers, then we head out to look for more fish. My girl pulls in a little snapper, another photo opp/throwback, and when I feel my line yank I reel in a gorgeous red snapper... The captain says its a keeper, I get the pic, and the deck hand measures it twice because its a hair shy... I mean like a sliver... I’m brokenhearted, my dinner swims back to its home. Oh well, the day just started, and I have hours of fishing left. But, huh, I'm feeling weird, why am I woozy and really naseated all of a sudden? I try to stay upright, douse myself in ice to keep the sick down, and move to the cabin to doze. I guess the front of the boat was too much for my chica too, she followed shortly behind me just as ill. After a nap she was restored, and returned to fishing. I was done, didn't recover until the end of the trip, but she managed to pick up four white and lane snappers, and the deckhands took great care of her. Thank you LEO!!!

The crew consisted of the captain and his two mates Leo and Jacob. My friend took a liking to Jacob, which quickly evolved into a date.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone with patience, a cooler and some dramamine. Once again, the locals make the experience a wonderful one... They take great care of all the passengers, and are great with the little ones.