Since our luggage had been taken and most ship's services were closed, we alternated between reading in the Grand Centrum lounge and going outside on the promenade deck. Jan didn't hesitate to remind me that she always had a place to sit, on her rollator, while I was competing for scarce chairs.
The first sign of land for me was the appearance of buildings peeping over the horizon. (For others, the first sign was that their cellphones began working.) These three photos were taken at 8:20 AM.
The weather was a bit more brisk as we sailed north. It was about 70°F, but there was a mild breeze as well.
A mild chop was present.
About an hour later, starting at 9:21 AM, I took this series of ten photographs. The skyline is much more visible and local speedboats are present.
The Miami skyline is so broad as we approach that it takes three images to cover it.
It's times like this where you really appreciate distinctive architecture.
Apparently, Miami has its own twin towers.
This undeveloped coastline is south of Miami.
The twin towers are to the right of the picture. Preceding pictures can be assembled with this one to get an image of the complete coastline.
Suddenly the pilot boat popped into view. Even a landlubber like me could figure out what it was.
Off goes the pilot boat.
The wake of the pilot boat persisted for a long time.
By 9:29 AM we were close enough to the coast to see lots of small craft.
We were moving at a very brisk pace, but that didn't seem to disturb the pleasure craft.
It takes multiple photos to capture the coastline. The buildings are becoming bigger and clearer.
The beach becomes visible.
Just two minutes later, at 9:32, the buildings are noticeably bigger and more well defined.
The harbor (at left) becomes visible.
A wide-angle photo takes in the entire coastline. As we approach the coast at 9:40 AM, I got the notion that it would be neat to take a photo right up the beach, with each building overlapping the next. I decided to take a series of photographs as we approach.
A multi-modal transportation photograph. A jet liner flies overhead. A light airplane is visible at the lower right (dot). Just off the right edge is a helicopter. Small pleasure boats are at the left and autos and trucks are barely visible on the shore.
At 9:44 AM we're got close. I think the dot in the lower center is a dirigible, another transportation mode.
Less than a minute later, we got closer to a look right up the coast and I realized that the coastline is curved and my ideal picture is not to be had.
After waiting for our turn to debark the ship, we transferred to the Miami airport at around 2:00 PM. The shuttle bus driver declined to load Jan's rollator in the luggage compartment, so I had to carry it on my lap. This precluded any photography from the bus. When we booked the trip, the travel agent tried to convince us to travel to Miami a day early and leave a day late. I declined, but for safety I did elect to fly to Miami on the earliest flights and to fly home on the latest flights. When we arrived at the Miami airport, there were two earlier flights, but both were sold out. Fortunately, I could flash my Delta Sky Miles Gold Medallion card. The kind hostess admitted us to the private lounge, where we spent the afternoon reading the Sunday paper, watching TV, and consuming free drinks and snacks, while waiting for our 7:10 flight. didn't have much of an appetite, but at around 6:00 PM we walked across the hall to use the restroom. Jan asked "What smells so good?" It was the sandwich shop next to the Delta lounge. In this picture of my beautiful bride, you can see how much she's enjoying the sandwich and soda.
The kindly hostess upgraded us to First Class for the flights home.
Jan continues to eat dinner. Prominent on her left hand are wedding and engagement rings. In December, 1968, I decided spontaneously to propose on a Sunday. My mother gave me her dinner ring to use as an engagement ring. I drove 250 miles in a thunder-and-lightning snowstorm to pop the question and deliver the ring, then nearly 500 miles to my home. That's the ring pictured here, eight diamonds around a sapphire. Look for it in other pictures.
Jan and I wait in the gate area. Jan is probably musing on the trip, and wishing it could go on forever. We learned that some travellers do take two cruises back to back. There's an urban legend about retiring to a cruise ship instead of a retirement home. If you look into it, you find that there actually is a lady who's cruised continuously for five years.
Another kind tourist takes our photo in the gate area at 6:30 PM. I'm not sure why Jan looks startled as I did my best to make this part of the trip stress-free. Perhaps she's contemplating the future.
Jan is pulling a face for this picture.
We wait for our luggage at Raleigh-Durham at 11:37 PM. Happiness is evident in Jan's smile.
Our son Victor came to pick us up. Jan looks so content and blissful.
Even as she tips her hat, her peacefulness and satisfaction are obvious.
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