Posts Tagged ‘k.c’

Are We There Yet??

Sunday, November 17th, 2013

The 6 hour drive from Panama City to the village of Santa Catalina was in excess of 7 hours due to torrential rain for most of the trip. This sojourn needed to be completed before dark because there were no street lights or lines on the narrow roads and it was just plain DARK!

So we crept along the last few miles including the rutted dirt road to their home. We had suitcases, food coolers, the Costco Run (PriceMart), 6 people and one car seat. Since we had to leave Carson’s car seat behind to spare the space, we strapped his wiggly body on top of  me.  

I love him dearly, but I now know the definition of “too much of a good thing.”

Panama

Wednesday, October 30th, 2013

soleilbirth Steve and I left home on Oct.11, 2013 to head out again to Orlando (for work) and Daytona ( to see my dad) and then to Panama to await the birth of our grandaughter, Soleil Naomi Wilt. The princess took her sweet time as she was 9 days late, but appeared on the scene at 20″ and 8lbs 12 oz. We are watching big brother, Carson, while mom and dad have a couple days at the hospital to rest up for real life.

Lots of first impressions of Panama, but I know it’s not a complete picture yet as we are in the outskirts of town (Panama City) and not yet to the Wilt home-base in Santa Catalina, some 6 hours away in the jungle.

pararisaThat comes after we spend 10 days in a missionary compound where it is busy and we have been sequestered (my meaning=holed up) in two bedrooms. Our bedroom is about 8′ x 12′ with 4 bunk beds lining the walls with just enuff space to walk down the  middle. Mind you, that and a bathroom is it! We make our meals in the communal kitchen and retreat to the bedroom. The bunks do not allow for sitting without hitting ones head. It feels like you’re getting in a drawer to go to sleep. But it’s clean and free and it is what it is.

Now I guess my only complaint is there is NO HOT WATER. We clean with a lot of bleach but that shower can be awfully shocking. KC and Jono’s bedroom is next door with a double bed and one bunk set. We visit by sitting all around the double bed. Oh, they do have 3 folding chairs — the luxury suite.

It rains a whole bunch here in Panama, it’s a Jungle out there! But it’s not scattered showers, it’s a bucket thrown at you. The country is very green, but they are rather trashy; no litter laws. I guess they figure that something will grow over the mess eventually. The canal that bisects the country is a couple blocks away and the ships are huge! They are enlarging the canal to allow for even bigger ships. Lots of little tug boats scurrying around working 24/7.

But first impression: if you stare at it long enough, it will Rust, Mold, or become Overgrown.

Free Time

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Free time meant the privilege of NOT meeting our “mini group” until 10 am in the lobby. Heaven, and no bus!

We picked the Israeli Museum (boring). When I went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls when they came to San Diego a year ago, I saw more scrolls then; everything today was a facsimile.

But we did find 2 caches and KC’s Jerusalem University campus from her senior year, and walk more miles than these knees should take.

Tomorrow – The DEAD SEA!

Arrivederce KC

Friday, April 29th, 2011

Carson Is A Natural Traveller

After a couple weeks of touring Italy and laying back with us in Montalcino, KC, Jonathan and Bimbo Carson headed back to the US of A via Pisa.

They were fortunate to rendezvous with Heather and Heinz who came down from Switzerland to visit for a few hours.

Unfortunately for the Wilts, their 7 am flight was canceled, and the rescheduling put them 7 hours later in SD, and picked up by Andy.

When Steve dropped them off in Pisa, He also dropped our rental car off and took a couple trains and even hitchhiked!

Traveling With Bimbo

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Short for Bambino, long for trial and treat as KC ,Jonathan, and baby Carson are with us enjoying the laidback lifestyle of Tuscany.

He doesn’t like his carseat so he SCREAMS until we reach our destination. And then we can’t walk down an Italian street without being mobbed by folk of all ages who want to squeeze cheeks and offer little kisses.

We have him in every picture, so when he asks if he can go Europe when he is older we can prove he already did Italy! Here KC and Carson are enjoying a “tasting”!

San Gimigiano Checkin

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Rented a 3rd floor apt. in the center of town, kinnda cool. San Gimigiano is suppose to make a great white wine which we are about to go out and taste. We also are gonna go Cache hunting (did one in England) I know you think it’s crazy, but I think It’s fun.

‘About time for KC to bring her brood across the pond.

I MISS you and wish you were here.

Scenery Like Victorville

Friday, September 24th, 2010

2nd day of Safari…102 degrees, scenery like Victorville, our husband and wife guides with us 24/7. I vote Wild Animal Park. Steve enjoying KC’s camera..Eager to post animal pictures.

Lunch With The Staff

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

At the Moyo Clinic, a caterer brings in lunch for the staff , there are 106 when they are all there). We have been invited to partake in this pot luck line at noon, sharp (snooze you lose)!

We tried the staple of the country “nsima” a patty of mush that seems to take on the flavor of what it is served with, a gravy or such.  Steve thought it was a cream of wheat taste, but I thought it was definitely a thick wallpaper paste. Along with this was rice, beans, greenbeans and carrots and a chicken leg!

Thank heavens KC sent us with “sporks” (spoon/fork – spoon with tongs) because most just pinched it together with their hands, or tackled the larger pieces with a toothpick!

They have a little company store that sells bottled coke products and cookies and crackers.  A lot of carbs and no McDonalds in sight.

Nightmare On Shoal Summit

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

We were about to have the time of life, when we got word that  KC’s and Jonathan’s cars were towed by the police.  Despite a “non-operational permit” from the DMV which allowed us not to register it, and permission from the immediate neighbors, the officer cited us for having a non-registered vehicle parked on city streets.

Despite the pleadings of our dear neighbor, Helena, the cop had the cars  impounded.  After numerous calls to any one we could think of, and lots of help from Andy, we came to the conclusion we could do NOTHING but pay up when we get back, in excess of one thousand dollars.   So much for the spirit of Thanksgiving and for our Christmas budget! grrrrr

Post Script:  $1300, plus smogging, and registering them. Don’t get towed.

Home Again, Home again, Giggidy Gig

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

stonecherubWhat I missed while gone…hmmmmmm,

My bed, my grandbaby’s hugs, my fuzzy bathrobe, my kids, knowing my way around without a GPS, and those who couldn’t join us in Montalcino. that’s all! 

Everything else was just stuff and habit, and since we are rediscovering what and who we are without jobs, there is still a spirit of adventure lurking just below the surface!  So watch out!