Thursday, June 26, 2008
Aruba...
Well, we just got back from our family vacation in Aruba. We rarely go on vacations with just our family and while we do enjoy vacationing with other families it was nice to be by ourselves and enjoy each other's company. With Judd in college, it's hard to say how many more opportunities we'll have to vacation with just of the 5 of us and for that reason alone, this trip was very special.
Aruba is an interesting place. It's hot but very windy so its very comfortable to be outside. The resorts are beautiful and everyone we met was very nice. The Marriott Surf Club, where we stayed, was very clean and the staff was friendly beyond belief. On the flip side there are many parts of the island that are dirty, run down and undeveloped. From what I understand, this is not uncommon with some of the other Carribean islands. I think we saw many of the sights to see, the island is not very big. I would definitely go back to Aruba but if it were up to me, I'd close the place down for a year, clean it up and put up some decent signage so you can easily find your way to some of the attractions across the island. Having said that, we had a great time, it was very relaxing and some of the best memories are of the futility we had trying to reach destinations like Baby Beach and the Ostrich Farm as well as the incredible trek out to the Natural Pool. Words can't do justice to that adventure.
So vacation is over and it's time to get refocused on work. Aaron is actually going on a mission trip to Mexico this weekend and a friend has invited Abbey to go to Florida next month...Judd needs to pile on the hours working at the golf course so he can have some money when he goes back to school.
I have a doctors appointment on Monday and will get another maintenance treatment. I had scans done yesterday and hopefully they'll come back clean. I actually feel better than I have in a long time, many of the aches and pains I've experienced the past couple years have faded away.
Hope all is well with all of you. Best wishes for the upcoming 4th of July weekend!
Aruba is an interesting place. It's hot but very windy so its very comfortable to be outside. The resorts are beautiful and everyone we met was very nice. The Marriott Surf Club, where we stayed, was very clean and the staff was friendly beyond belief. On the flip side there are many parts of the island that are dirty, run down and undeveloped. From what I understand, this is not uncommon with some of the other Carribean islands. I think we saw many of the sights to see, the island is not very big. I would definitely go back to Aruba but if it were up to me, I'd close the place down for a year, clean it up and put up some decent signage so you can easily find your way to some of the attractions across the island. Having said that, we had a great time, it was very relaxing and some of the best memories are of the futility we had trying to reach destinations like Baby Beach and the Ostrich Farm as well as the incredible trek out to the Natural Pool. Words can't do justice to that adventure.
So vacation is over and it's time to get refocused on work. Aaron is actually going on a mission trip to Mexico this weekend and a friend has invited Abbey to go to Florida next month...Judd needs to pile on the hours working at the golf course so he can have some money when he goes back to school.
I have a doctors appointment on Monday and will get another maintenance treatment. I had scans done yesterday and hopefully they'll come back clean. I actually feel better than I have in a long time, many of the aches and pains I've experienced the past couple years have faded away.
Hope all is well with all of you. Best wishes for the upcoming 4th of July weekend!
# posted by Vince Hopkins @ 3:51 PM 
