With hope that we never lose sight of this.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both House of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;

Now therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations, especially such as have shown kindness to us, and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."

At the Bend of the River: Back from a trip through the Panama Canal

At the Bend of the River: Back from a trip through the Panama Canal

Back from a trip through the Panama Canal

Rol has always wanted to see the Panama Canal...so, late in October, we sailed from Miami on Royal Caribbean's "Serenade of the Sea," for a trip through the canal.
I have to admit that I was less than excited about seeing the canal. But I have changed my mind. It was really fascinating to watch the ship transit the locks. Our ship slipped through with only a few feet to spare.
We passed through on a pleasant sunny day (unusual in the rainy season). Rain is really the resource that makes the locks work. The water flows into the locks from a created lake high along the continental divide, rather than being pumped up into them... Although, I understand that the new locks now being built will require reclaiming some of the used water.
The cost to our ship for its transit was $350,000. Next year this cost will rise to $500,000. and Royal Caribbean is not planning to come back for a while.

The ship was lovely and our accommodations were very nice. We rented an inside room and were very comfortable. We saved a considerable amount of money by booking our own air flight through Southwest Airlines. They allow booking legs. ..i.e. Philadelphia to Miami (one way) and San Diego (one way) back to Philadelphia.

We thought that the entertainment in the early evening was not as good as the entertainment we experienced a few years ago on an Alaska trip...I suppose they are trying to cut corners too. The food was good and plentiful.
we registered for four side trips and were fortunate that 3 of them were canceled. We quickly found that we could buy the same trips cheaper right at the dock and saved a quite a bit, while enjoying the same sights and excitement.

All in all, the trip was great...Rol had his interest in the locks satisfied and we both enjoyed ourselves..