A dream come true! Tales (tails?) from the Doodle Cruise.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

We started planning in July of 2011 and the Doodle Cruise was but a dream.  All the days of planning and waiting and finally it was here.  The chance to meet in person some of my DK IDOLS!  From the 1st moment it was truely like we were all old friends - because we really were old friends.  This past week was one I will never forget.  There were tons of laughs, some tears, dancing, way too much eating and drinking.  Doodle talk of course!!!  I am way to tired (and want to spend time with Rooney, Stuart and DH) to go into details - those will all come as people get home but I'll share a few photos with you all.  Oh and of course WE CAN'T TELL EVERYTHING - some things will have to stay on the ship.

Here is Dori and I at Sail Away - the weather is Miami was getting cloudy - great time to leave. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I'm very claustrophobic, but as long as I have a "balcony cabin", I'm fine!  Also, ask for a room near the end of a hallway so when you exit your room you're very close to open space.  I've been on six or seven cruises now and have never felt like I was "inside a boat".  If I can do it, you can!!  :)

[Sharon & Monty]

ugh, I get chills just thinking about going down inside the bowels of the vessel.... He really wants to go sometime, he always lets me plan vacations, so I know I will have to try this, but I'm not happy.  I will stay outside!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Sharon "down inside the bowels of the vessel" - the only people that see that are the crew and maybe when you have to tender off the ship - otherwise all the decks are above the water line.  There are outside decks for walking and even when you are in the dining room - if you are located on the side - BIG windows.  It isn't like being in a windowless space at all.

[Sharon & Monty]

[Sue & Lily Grace]

How very true.

[Carol and Banjo]

Perfect!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes!  This was all about being with amazing people who are now BFFs forever.

[Adina P]

Look carefully and you'll see three men up there.  The shortest shirtless one is Tim.  (The red shirt is John and the shirtless baldy is Clark.)  Tim had already conquered one fear that day and braved the water on Half Moon Cay (and was super proud of himself).  Well Clark and John managed to convince him (off and on) to attempt conquering another fear: the water slide.  He made it up several flights of stairs with John and Clark toward the goal of climbing that spiral staircase and going down the water slide. It took a lot of courage for him to get that high up...and then it started pouring rain and they closed the slide.  He felt kind of bad that he didn't conquer another fear that day (he also felt quite relieved!), but he was a good sport for making it as far as he did. That took a lot of courage.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Way to go, Tim :) I believe the fear conquering quota each day should only be one thing and you were right on target!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

He would only do that with Clark and John to support him.  He had total trust in his "guys", so he was able to face things that were frightening to him.  He even went back to the ship from the island without us, although he was VERY happy to see us when we arrived on the next boat.  He has been afraid of being in the ocean, but he was able to spend a whole day pretty much in the water with everyone.....a huge step.  Now if his Mom was only able to face her fears about being over her head..

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

There is just so much fear conquering you can do in one day :) We were very proud of him. I tried to tell you guys I was on my knees out in the ocean, but nobody believed me.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh Jane, I am so delighted that Tim loved this vacation and had such fun with the guys : ) And the guys were so wonderful to be such good supporters.