Cozumel, Mexico

After we checked out of the Sandos we hopped on the ferry and headed out to the island of Cozumel.

Cozumel means 'land of swallows' in Mayan. This gorgeous sculpture of swallows sits at the end of the ferry pier.

A flamingo tongue molusk - they like to hang out on sea fans.

We snorkeled twice on Cozumel. This site is at Punta Sur National Park on the southern tip of the island. The park also has crocodiles and tropical birds.

Undersea meadows of rippling purple sea fans.

An ocean trigger tries to keep her urchin snack away from hungry little fish.

French Grey Angelfish

French Grey Angelfish makes a visit to a cleaning wrasse's station.

This spotted moray eel came out of his den to see what we were up to.

A stoplight parrotfish poses next to a branched coral.

A tiny stand of christmas tree worms spring from a huge brain coral. The worms slurp back into their holes if you wave a fin at them.

An ornate cowfish.

Yippie! Snorkeling is like flying!

We found this huge tree next to the road on the south end of the island. I think it is a baobab.

We bought a coco frio at this roadside stand. A guy wacked the top off the coconut with a machete. After we finished drinking it we handed it back and he chopped it in half, scooped the meat out and mixed up lime and chilie to season it. It was delicious!

Unnamed sea arch next to the coco frio stand.

We rented a scooter for two days to get around Cozumel.

Don't miss the iguana on top of the wall.

This turtle is one of three living at La Casona Real- the hotel where we stayed. He is munching cantelope from our breakfast.

Bryan and Kim's Wedding in Mexico

We went to Playa for Bryan and Kims' wedding. It was gorgeous! The ceremony was on the beach and the bridesmaids wore dresses the color of the water.
Kim was just beautiful in her wedding dress and the groomsmen (Jeff included) wore white linen shirts and khaki slacks.

This trip was just a little after our one year anniversary!

This handsome kitty joined us for the reception. He sat under my chair most of the time and I slipped him some shrimp and steak.

Mexico: Snorkel Trip

Yippie! I love snorkeling!

A parrotfish enjoying his turn a the cleaning wrasse station.

This was Chris and Angelas' first big snorkeling trip together so it was alot of fun to share with them.

Mr and Mrs. White watch as Jeff feeds the sargent majors.

I brought a banana to feed the fish and gave half to Angela. I was expecting a few fish to stop and nibble but within seconds I was surrounded by a huge school of sargent majors and they were so anxious to snack that they were biting me! Angela held her banana out of the water and I could hear her laughing through her snorkel.

Our guide playing with a little skate.

Tulum, Mexico

Chris and Angela hopped a collectivo bus with us and rode down to Tulum to see the ruins and snorkel.

We could see coral off the coast but the life guard wouldn't let us use our fins so we just played in the water instead.

This iguana is the reincarnation of a Mayan emperor.

The best thing about the ruins at Tulum is that they are right on the coast and there is a beautiful beach to cool off.

Mexico: Playa de Carmen

We stayed at the Sandos Playacar Resort. Here is the courtyard outside our room.

There wasn't much coral to see in the water near the resort, but we did see some nice critters, including this squid. I spotted a school of about five squid. I mistook them for fish at first. When I realized they were squid I was really excited - we've never spotted squid and they were very interesting.



This queen trigger is being cleaned by a tiny black and yellow fish.

A pair of queen triggerfish.

The guy on the right is a dog face puffer. I'm not sure what his black and yellow friend is. He was very tiny though, about the size of a nickel.

Chris and Angela in the poolside buffet tiki at the resort. Chris' shirt makes me laugh every time I see it.

I rescued this kitty from a trap. I heard her meowing and searched until I found her in a trap near our room. There was a sign on it saying, "Please do not disturb the trap, the cat will be relocated." I didn't have much faith in the Sandos resort after the 'all inclusive snorkel gear' turned out to be $25 an hour so I let the poor cat out. The next day I found another trap (empty this time) and rolled a coconut in to spring it. Score 2 for the kitties!

Becky's Reception in Missouri

We drove up to Eureka, Missouri for my cousin Becky's wedding reception. She and her husband Frank were married in Jamaica earlier in the summer.

Here is Becky looking absolutely lovely in her wedding gown.

We took a family trip to Grant's Farm, owned by the Budweiser Beer family. Here we are in the Beer Garden enjoying free samples.

The Clydesdale foals were so sweet. They love being petted and nibbling babies' shoes.

Isn't this a handsome horse? He is a Norwegian Fjord. I've always wanted to see one and now I have!

Lexi and I with one of the Budweiser stallions.

Me, feeding the goats. Lexi made the mistake of going into the pen with them. She came out with hoof prints all over her white shorts.

Cicada Mysteries

I found this cicada named Clark climbing the side of the garage. I brought him inside and watched him molt before letting him go. It took him about an hour. I think the fourth photo is especially beautiful. The color in his wings was a very concentrated emerald before they puffed out to their full size.

I love cicadas. I'll have to put up another post of my cicada art sometime.