St Martens

We were really looking forward to our excursion on this island!

It was a ski lift and culinary tour!

This ski lift is new to the island

This was the first time it was offered as an excursion. 

The views were amazing.

We picked up one of the workers and Penne Pendleton from Texas.

Penne's husband went on a Harley tour instead.

You could see islands we had been to recently. 

It put a new perspective on this airport!

Better hit the pavement or it will be water!!

You could take the zip line down for a 2 minute trip...

or 

a inner tube on green carpet 

We chose to take the quiet half hour trip back down on the chair lift.

Lunch started as soon as we got to the bottom.

There were only 11 of us who took this excursion.

The food experience began at Emilio's

It was a shared table in the bottom of a winery.

It was rich with historic artifacts found on the estate.

This was our excited Chef.

His first Chef's table!

We started with shrimp

followed by Octopus salad

A palette cleanser of limoncello sorbet

Filet Mignon, pureed potato and roasted veggies

And a delightful mousse with edible pansy!

This was the proud owner who was also happy to see us come experience his new venture!

These were past owners of the estate

It was a really nice day to spend chatting with strangers. 

Three of the men were retired Navy.

They didn't know each other

but

 they started sharing stories of their experiences.

I tell you.

We are raising woosies these days.

As they reminised about their boot camp days,

I could not help but think about grateful I am for the freedoms we have. 

One man talked about how he was only a couple of months from being released,

 when the Vietman War broke out. 

They told him he would have to just finish his months there 

but 

instead...tacked on another 5 years to his duty.

Another told of how their platoon was told if they graduated with honors,

they would get to go the movies.

They graduated with honors, 

were taken down to the movies, 

all excited to see the show!!

When they got to the theater,

 they were told nothing was ever said about actually seeing movie.

They never got to see the movie.

They all agreed it was a different and very tough time in their lives.

I can only imagine.

Thank you to all vetrans for your dedication for our freedom.

Much appreciated!

Christa