[by Robert Darnell]
We rented this house at Bermuda Beach and came down last Friday. Jerre, Becky, Natalie, and Bob. We have been beach bumming, shell picking, sun bathing, swimming, and walking.
Sunday, Ron, Sylvia and Licia came. Ron tried his luck at fishing and I think he caught three about the size of your little finger. Sylvia and Licia played in the surf and picked up shells. They had a good time and went home that night.
Monday morning David, Jan, David and Jen dropped in. They stayed until Wednesday. Everybody continued to do all the usual things and had a lot of fun with no sun burn.
Tuesday Annie and David Whitlock came so we had a crowd Tuesday night. We went down to the East End of the island to a little seafood place called Tuffy's to eat supper. It was great and we were right by the ship channel where we could see the ships standing in -- standing out -- and laying to. Everybody ate seafood and had a blast. Jennifer put on a show with her two-year-old syndrome.
That morning all the kids and ladies went to the jungle water slide. It was fun for the kids, but not for Jerre, Jan, and Annie standing around waiting.
David and Bob played nine holes of golf. Also, last Saturday Bob played nine holes and Becky and Nat drove the golf cart.
Yesterday the big excitement was Hurricane Bob and Skylab is falling. Bob rose up out of the gulf suddenly and went on in somewhere in Louisiana. We got no effect from Hurricane Bob. Skylab fell today somewhere off in nowhere and no one was effected.
end
Monday, March 23, 2015
Cozumel
Dec 20th '78 [by Robert Darnell]
The three meskiters are heading to Cozumel. Jerre & Becky are opening their Christmas presents.
Got to Cozumel about 9. Dark, dense jungle, insects, snakes, gators, head hunters, and cannibals. We made it ok to the Sol Caribe, a beautiful hotel and surroundings carved out of the raw jungle. Beach, pool, and grounds you can't believe. Drank some rum, danced some. Really good music. They celebrate Xmas on the 24th. Have a rain forest bar called the hippopotamus which we will check out.
21st
Jerre hit the beach early. Becky and Rawb rode some motor scooters. Saw the El Presidente and a beautiful lagoon. Did not have much trouble with the head hunters and cannibals. Just flexed our muscles and stared them down.
Swam through a winding lagoon with overhanging jungle trees full of boas and monkeys. Also saw 3 toed sloth. Passed a jungle bar with underwater seats. Very cool. Wound up at a beach which was only rocks. Hard to walk on rocks. Water beautiful blue and clear.
Big crisis -- came back to the room and the A/C wasn't working. Hottern' Hades. Complained and the sent up a young fellow who changed out the whole A/C in 30 minutes. Now it's cool cool. Jerre also found some ice. Now if she can get her hair fixed we are going to eat.
We ate a big meal. Becky lobster, Jerre fish, Rob shrimp. Lobster too hot -- Beck and Jerre changed -- Jerre got mad at Rawb; ran back to room 100 mph.
22nd
Got on a boat. Two crew members six passengers. One crew man snorkeled and dove for conchs. He got a bunch. They trolled for swordfish but didn't get any. Then fished over the side and caught a bunch. We sailed through many dangerous reefs and rip tides finally arriving at a wild uninhabited island. After a gorgeous landing we finally got on the beach. They built a roaring pit fire and cooked the fish. We had five dishes and some fruit, cheese, beer, and cake. The beach was beautiful with white powdery sand and clear blue water and palm trees. Not many wild animals just geese, raccoon,
albatross, and sea gulls.
When we got back to the hotel our A/C was out again for the 3rd time. And it was the third time they replaced it. Here's hoping.
They are having a big fish fry down in the jungle but we are going to McDonalds for hamburgers and shakes.
Sat. 23
Rawb got up early and went down to the beach with some coffee. It was really pleasant down there that early. A man and woman from Canada were there exercising and swimming in the cold water. They were health nuts. Jerre and Beck came on down for breakfast and after that we rented a Jeep. Things down here take a long time and there was quite a wait getting the Jeep.
We finally got it and took off on a tour of the island and the Mayan ruins. We stopped at San Francisco beach which was totally unique Mexican. It was nice and pretty. We asked the guy there how to get to the Cedral Ruin and he said the first road to the left off into the jungle. We took it and got about two miles back in there and ran out of gas. The Jeep had been given to us completely empty.
We walked out and back to the beach, took a cab back to our hotel.
Rawb went back with a guy in another Jeep with some gas and we finally got going again.
This time we found our way into the Cedral Ruin. It was not down the first road where we ran out of gas. the people in there were so primitive you wouldn't believe it. They said that they raised bananas for a livelihood.
From there we went to a lighthouse and saw another ruin on the way. This was along the Caribbean side of the island.Very wild with large breaking surf. We saw some iguanas.
Back to the hotel and then into town to buy some t-shirts for Beck and her friends. Jerre had the Montezuma all day but stuck it out and kept going. Rawb got it later in the day and Becky that night. The hotel had a posada and Mexican food festival but we could not attend because of Montezuma. We tried to get something light to eat but couldn't pull it off.
Coming back to the hotel Rawb stopped at bar for bottled Coke and ice for Jerre's stomach's sake. Jerre & Beck went on to room. When Rawb got to room no one was there. He had no key so stood outside holding ice and Coke until ice turned to agua. He was most puzzled but could not scratch his head because both hands were full.
Some time later here came the two who said they had been trapped in the elevator. It wouldn't move or the door wouldn't open, Their rescuer was a small five year old kid who knew the mechanics of elevators.
Christmas Eve Sitting by the Pool at Sol Caribe
Mexican music cha cha chiatcha chi chi chi cha cha chiatcha chi chi chi
Palm trees waving in the breeze coconuts dropping on peoples' heads and fat bellies.
Jerre and Becky and other bathing beauties soaking up the rays. A palm frond covered bar with Mayan boys in yellow pants and white shirts running in and out carrying people rums and Coca Colas and pina coladas.
Two cats are out there playing volley ball in the pool. Many kids are splashing. The flowers and trees and bushes are beautiful red pink yellow, orange green violet and all shades ... Reminds me of the mown grass and mesquite beans at Abilene.
Everybody fritters oiling fixing turning walking running talking twisting looking eating drinking bending stooping stretching. Feliz Navidad.
Exciting wild apple eating contest going on down at end of pool. Whistle blows and contestants try to eat an apple dangling on a string. Squealing yelling snapping -- all striving for the grand prize. The one who eats the most -- if any of his apple in the prescribed time is the grand prize winner. Everyone fighting for the grand prize. Stretch snap gobble bite growl snarl. Tweet -- oh the winner -- What joy -- a six-year-old. The grand prize -- oh joy -- a bottle of Grand Prieur!
We sweated and strained and walked -- Jerre moaning -- Robert cussing -- Becky swatting at the swarms of mosquitoes. She couldn't stand it any longer so made a mad dash for a spot of light at the end of a long tunnel of vines which luckily was the road. Rawb and Jerre stumbled out sweating and exhausted and Jerre moaning with the Montezuma. We stood there in the open thanking our lucky stars that we had made it out, wondering what would happen next when lo and behold a jungle cowboy in a pickup truck came along and gave us a ride to San Francisco Beach.
On Snorkeling in the Caribbean
The rocks and coral are rough and tough on tender skin and feet. The trick is don't buck the wave action just float with it and pretty soon you're just floating around in there with the fish and eels. Becky saw a six foot long eel and it scared her to death. She came back in like a storm. Rawb went out to see it and sure 'nuff it was a scary thing. You don't bother it -- it don't bother you.
Allegro Nuevo Uno
Christmas Eve at Sol Caribe
We went down to El Presidente for a snack easy on out decimated stomachs. Got a bowl of fiery hot soup and sandwich. Here's hoping. What do you know -- the A/C just went off again. We are going down town to catch the festival if any.
This Christmas Eve is about like any other Sunday night. They all walk around the town square sit and eat fruit and candy off of carts -- they had a party in the town park but they do that every Sunday. Drink Cokes and beer and have hat dances, etc on a raised stage. The city donates baskets which are given away.
They were having a few private pinata parties -- where the kids beat on a stuffed animal with bats and beat goodies out of it -- jolly fun.
No St Nick no Christmas trees, no fireplace -- no presents, no jingle bells -- no Donner no Blitzen no Christmas Dinner -- no church service.
Going to bed hopefully no Montezuma tonight -- get up real early and catch that plane back to Houston -- neat and organized.
The three meskiters are heading to Cozumel. Jerre & Becky are opening their Christmas presents.
Got to Cozumel about 9. Dark, dense jungle, insects, snakes, gators, head hunters, and cannibals. We made it ok to the Sol Caribe, a beautiful hotel and surroundings carved out of the raw jungle. Beach, pool, and grounds you can't believe. Drank some rum, danced some. Really good music. They celebrate Xmas on the 24th. Have a rain forest bar called the hippopotamus which we will check out.
21st
Jerre hit the beach early. Becky and Rawb rode some motor scooters. Saw the El Presidente and a beautiful lagoon. Did not have much trouble with the head hunters and cannibals. Just flexed our muscles and stared them down.
Swam through a winding lagoon with overhanging jungle trees full of boas and monkeys. Also saw 3 toed sloth. Passed a jungle bar with underwater seats. Very cool. Wound up at a beach which was only rocks. Hard to walk on rocks. Water beautiful blue and clear.
Big crisis -- came back to the room and the A/C wasn't working. Hottern' Hades. Complained and the sent up a young fellow who changed out the whole A/C in 30 minutes. Now it's cool cool. Jerre also found some ice. Now if she can get her hair fixed we are going to eat.
We ate a big meal. Becky lobster, Jerre fish, Rob shrimp. Lobster too hot -- Beck and Jerre changed -- Jerre got mad at Rawb; ran back to room 100 mph.
22nd
Got on a boat. Two crew members six passengers. One crew man snorkeled and dove for conchs. He got a bunch. They trolled for swordfish but didn't get any. Then fished over the side and caught a bunch. We sailed through many dangerous reefs and rip tides finally arriving at a wild uninhabited island. After a gorgeous landing we finally got on the beach. They built a roaring pit fire and cooked the fish. We had five dishes and some fruit, cheese, beer, and cake. The beach was beautiful with white powdery sand and clear blue water and palm trees. Not many wild animals just geese, raccoon,
albatross, and sea gulls.
When we got back to the hotel our A/C was out again for the 3rd time. And it was the third time they replaced it. Here's hoping.
They are having a big fish fry down in the jungle but we are going to McDonalds for hamburgers and shakes.
Sat. 23
Rawb got up early and went down to the beach with some coffee. It was really pleasant down there that early. A man and woman from Canada were there exercising and swimming in the cold water. They were health nuts. Jerre and Beck came on down for breakfast and after that we rented a Jeep. Things down here take a long time and there was quite a wait getting the Jeep.
We finally got it and took off on a tour of the island and the Mayan ruins. We stopped at San Francisco beach which was totally unique Mexican. It was nice and pretty. We asked the guy there how to get to the Cedral Ruin and he said the first road to the left off into the jungle. We took it and got about two miles back in there and ran out of gas. The Jeep had been given to us completely empty.
We walked out and back to the beach, took a cab back to our hotel.
Rawb went back with a guy in another Jeep with some gas and we finally got going again.
This time we found our way into the Cedral Ruin. It was not down the first road where we ran out of gas. the people in there were so primitive you wouldn't believe it. They said that they raised bananas for a livelihood.
From there we went to a lighthouse and saw another ruin on the way. This was along the Caribbean side of the island.Very wild with large breaking surf. We saw some iguanas.
Back to the hotel and then into town to buy some t-shirts for Beck and her friends. Jerre had the Montezuma all day but stuck it out and kept going. Rawb got it later in the day and Becky that night. The hotel had a posada and Mexican food festival but we could not attend because of Montezuma. We tried to get something light to eat but couldn't pull it off.
Coming back to the hotel Rawb stopped at bar for bottled Coke and ice for Jerre's stomach's sake. Jerre & Beck went on to room. When Rawb got to room no one was there. He had no key so stood outside holding ice and Coke until ice turned to agua. He was most puzzled but could not scratch his head because both hands were full.
Some time later here came the two who said they had been trapped in the elevator. It wouldn't move or the door wouldn't open, Their rescuer was a small five year old kid who knew the mechanics of elevators.
Christmas Eve Sitting by the Pool at Sol Caribe
Mexican music cha cha chiatcha chi chi chi cha cha chiatcha chi chi chi
Palm trees waving in the breeze coconuts dropping on peoples' heads and fat bellies.
Jerre and Becky and other bathing beauties soaking up the rays. A palm frond covered bar with Mayan boys in yellow pants and white shirts running in and out carrying people rums and Coca Colas and pina coladas.
Two cats are out there playing volley ball in the pool. Many kids are splashing. The flowers and trees and bushes are beautiful red pink yellow, orange green violet and all shades ... Reminds me of the mown grass and mesquite beans at Abilene.
Everybody fritters oiling fixing turning walking running talking twisting looking eating drinking bending stooping stretching. Feliz Navidad.
Exciting wild apple eating contest going on down at end of pool. Whistle blows and contestants try to eat an apple dangling on a string. Squealing yelling snapping -- all striving for the grand prize. The one who eats the most -- if any of his apple in the prescribed time is the grand prize winner. Everyone fighting for the grand prize. Stretch snap gobble bite growl snarl. Tweet -- oh the winner -- What joy -- a six-year-old. The grand prize -- oh joy -- a bottle of Grand Prieur!
***
Running out of gas in the dense jungle while lost looking for the fabled ruin of El Cedral, Rawb used cuss words never before invented -- Jerre had Montezuma bad and could not walk but did anyway. It was so dark and dense back in there even at midday that you could only see small patches of light here and there. We had to carry everything out of the Jeep -- couldn't leave anything because the savages would strip it if they discovered it while we were gone. We started the hike not bravely at all, real chicken. The biggest danger was the tigers that domiciled in that area.We sweated and strained and walked -- Jerre moaning -- Robert cussing -- Becky swatting at the swarms of mosquitoes. She couldn't stand it any longer so made a mad dash for a spot of light at the end of a long tunnel of vines which luckily was the road. Rawb and Jerre stumbled out sweating and exhausted and Jerre moaning with the Montezuma. We stood there in the open thanking our lucky stars that we had made it out, wondering what would happen next when lo and behold a jungle cowboy in a pickup truck came along and gave us a ride to San Francisco Beach.
On Snorkeling in the Caribbean
The rocks and coral are rough and tough on tender skin and feet. The trick is don't buck the wave action just float with it and pretty soon you're just floating around in there with the fish and eels. Becky saw a six foot long eel and it scared her to death. She came back in like a storm. Rawb went out to see it and sure 'nuff it was a scary thing. You don't bother it -- it don't bother you.
Allegro Nuevo Uno
Christmas Eve at Sol Caribe
We went down to El Presidente for a snack easy on out decimated stomachs. Got a bowl of fiery hot soup and sandwich. Here's hoping. What do you know -- the A/C just went off again. We are going down town to catch the festival if any.
This Christmas Eve is about like any other Sunday night. They all walk around the town square sit and eat fruit and candy off of carts -- they had a party in the town park but they do that every Sunday. Drink Cokes and beer and have hat dances, etc on a raised stage. The city donates baskets which are given away.
They were having a few private pinata parties -- where the kids beat on a stuffed animal with bats and beat goodies out of it -- jolly fun.
No St Nick no Christmas trees, no fireplace -- no presents, no jingle bells -- no Donner no Blitzen no Christmas Dinner -- no church service.
Going to bed hopefully no Montezuma tonight -- get up real early and catch that plane back to Houston -- neat and organized.
The Night we picked up Duffy
22/Dec/75 [by Robert Darnell]
The moon was bright in the sky.
Excitement at our house ran high.
Becky was excited because she was going to get old Duffy [other names considered: Raggy, Rag Mop]. Jerre was excited because she was going to get to clean up after him. Pat was excited because he had never seen one. Robert was excited because he was going to get to drive out the Katy and Gulf Freeways and back.
Oh Holly-Day Joy. What excitement!
We picked him up.
Jerre said, "Let's go home and get him trained before bedtime."
Becky said, "I want to hold him."
Robert said, "Damn that truck."
Pat said, "What is it?"
Duffy said, "Yipe Yipe Yipe...
Yipe Yipe Yipe...
Yipe Yipe Yipe Yipe Yipe."
The moon was bright in the sky.
Excitement at our house ran high.
Becky was excited because she was going to get old Duffy [other names considered: Raggy, Rag Mop]. Jerre was excited because she was going to get to clean up after him. Pat was excited because he had never seen one. Robert was excited because he was going to get to drive out the Katy and Gulf Freeways and back.
Oh Holly-Day Joy. What excitement!
We picked him up.
Jerre said, "Let's go home and get him trained before bedtime."
Becky said, "I want to hold him."
Robert said, "Damn that truck."
Pat said, "What is it?"
Duffy said, "Yipe Yipe Yipe...
Yipe Yipe Yipe...
Yipe Yipe Yipe Yipe Yipe."
Notes from Robert, 1975
The most profound statement I've heard today:
Weather Fantastically Beautiful
Instructions -- go Shopping
I went and I know that an all time world record for merchandising was set today.
Pat and I took the TV to the ranch last night. Old M and Old P were having a good time out there. The television worked great.
Pat and I shot some serious 8 ball.
Jerre and I went to the Main Bank Party at Riot Hegency. The music was bad.
21/Dec/75
Up early. To the ranch. Pat, Beck, Sunshine of my Life, and me.
Old M & P, David, Jan, L. David, and had an Italian Party. Old P cooked spaghet -- also chicken.
Burned brush, picked up wire.
Weather-- Crisp, cool, and bright.
Old M & P are so happy to be here and we are all thrilled that we can have this kind of X-mas.
The kids groomed Molly.
"If Henry Kissinger really wants to tell the Russioans how the cows eat the corn with regard to Angola, he might point out to the Kremlin the value of American Wheat to them versus the value of a slice of African Bush."Date 20/Dec/75
Weather Fantastically Beautiful
Instructions -- go Shopping
I went and I know that an all time world record for merchandising was set today.
Pat and I took the TV to the ranch last night. Old M and Old P were having a good time out there. The television worked great.
Pat and I shot some serious 8 ball.
Jerre and I went to the Main Bank Party at Riot Hegency. The music was bad.
***
21/Dec/75
Up early. To the ranch. Pat, Beck, Sunshine of my Life, and me.
Old M & P, David, Jan, L. David, and had an Italian Party. Old P cooked spaghet -- also chicken.
Burned brush, picked up wire.
Weather-- Crisp, cool, and bright.
Old M & P are so happy to be here and we are all thrilled that we can have this kind of X-mas.
The kids groomed Molly.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Monday, March 2, 2015
Dave Barry: The Greatest (Party) Generation - WSJ
Dave Barry: The Greatest (Party) Generation - WSJ: "Excerpted from Mr. Barry’s latest book, “Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer Is Much Faster),” to be published on March 3 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons."
'via Blog this'
"...It would never have occurred to members of my parents’ generation to try to teach a 2-year-old to read; they figured that was what school was for. And they didn’t obsess for years over which school their kids should attend, because pretty much everybody’s kids went to the local schools, which pretty much everybody considered to be good enough. They didn’t worry that their children would get bored, so they didn’t schedule endless after-school activities and drive their kids to the activities and stand around with other parents watching their kids engage in the activities. Instead they sent their kids out to play. They didn’t worry about how or where they played as long as they got home for dinner, which was very likely to involve gluten. [Excerpted from Mr. Barry’s latest book, “Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer Is Much Faster),” to be published on March 3 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons]..."
__________________Reference
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dave-barry-the-greatest-party-generation-1424965599?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth
'via Blog this'
"...It would never have occurred to members of my parents’ generation to try to teach a 2-year-old to read; they figured that was what school was for. And they didn’t obsess for years over which school their kids should attend, because pretty much everybody’s kids went to the local schools, which pretty much everybody considered to be good enough. They didn’t worry that their children would get bored, so they didn’t schedule endless after-school activities and drive their kids to the activities and stand around with other parents watching their kids engage in the activities. Instead they sent their kids out to play. They didn’t worry about how or where they played as long as they got home for dinner, which was very likely to involve gluten. [Excerpted from Mr. Barry’s latest book, “Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer Is Much Faster),” to be published on March 3 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons]..."
__________________Reference
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dave-barry-the-greatest-party-generation-1424965599?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth
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