Back: Robert and Kathy Sherrod, Debbie and Dave Gow, Bob and Cherlyn Conway,
Steve and Jenny Cromeens, Karen and Dave Lyons; center: Cliff and Candy Gilbert,
John and Maggie Jamison; seated: Bob and Jeannette Elliott
Cherlyn Conway
February seems to be a month of limbo for many of us. We are not quite sure what to do with ourselves or often have nothing to look forward to.
The holidays are all tucked away for a little R&R, we have recovered from all the holiday festivities that kept us going nonstop and the weather has prevented us from getting outside for our favorite activities. We end up having conversations with our friends to determine if our waistline grew or our clothes shrunk. Many participate in dry January and might be a bit cranky. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so we know there’s six more weeks of winter, the grass is dormant and the trees are naked and are as sad looking as we might feel.
February though, on the streets of Osprey, Cinnamon, Brandt, and Willet known as NxNW neighborhood found neighbors, Conways, Cromeens, Elliotts, Gilberts, Gows, Jamisons, Lyons, and Sherrods shaking off those winter blahs. The suitcases were packed, the pets were taken care of, the car services were reserved, so we were all ready for the Road Runner annual cruise to the Caribbean with travel partners Brandt Travel. We left many of our neighbors with FOMO (fear of missing out) and sad faces that they didn’t book this cruise. We assured them it would be okay as someone needed to stay behind and have the responsibility of watching the neighborhood while the sixteen of us were away.
On Feb. 22, the gangway went up and with cocktails in hand, we sailed away as a group with the other 150 Robson folks on board and toasted to a great week and a prayer for safety and good health.
The week presented different scenarios for us as we shared a meal with different couples; attended an activity on the ship or just passed by each other and said hi as we traveled to our next event. We met up at the Martini bar for a neighborhood cocktail, shared our discovery of the best kept “secret” on the ship “The Speakeasy”. Upon entering the secret passageway, you are allotted one hour to experience an environment reminiscent of the 1920s, characterized by subdued lighting and jazz music. A hostess dressed in authentic attire shows you to your table where the special cocktail menu awaits. We think we even saw a mob boss or two milling around the club.
With the ship back in port, we were back at the Fort Lauderdale airport where we waited to board the plane. We talked about our adventures during the week and seemed to have the same feeling, we had a good time and it was nice to get away, but were ready to get back to our special little corner of Robson, known to us as NxNW, knowing another opportunity in the not–so–distant future will find us together again to make memories with dear friends and neighbors.