You notice there were no pictures of the beignets...we dove into the plate of them before I could think to snap a picture! Katkin, thank you for the plant name. They were prolific and pretty. If you can get a ride to Orlando, I'm planning to go back to N.O. later this year. I drive the interstates the whole way and I do the speed limit. Barbcoleus, yes, the tent city is a sad reminder. I realize there are those affected by Katrina that worked hard to drag themselves out of the hole they were in and got back to work and back to living. But, there are some people that just fall through the cracks, don't know how to get help, or are not as competent or capable. Sometimes they do need a little push or extra helping hand. Obviously, ignoring them is not the thing to do. I'm not saying we should fork over all our tax dollars to support them fully, but our government, THEIR government, should come together and do something to help get them into shelters, food programs, work training programs, something. And, by something, I don't mean just chase them off with a big stick!

Yes, lists are key, but we go at different times of the year, (We're trying it out as a place to retire to) and for different lengths of time. A 3 day weekend, 5 days, 9 days. So the amount and kind of things we eat (I don't like chili in July or cold pasta salad in Jan.) and the types of clothes will differ. So I don't think one master list will do it. Maybe one clothes list for summer, one for winter, and one for spring/fall. Maybe 2 menu lists with supplements for longer stays. If we decide not to put it back on the rental market we'll be able to leave more stuff. I used to leave washing machine detergents and cleansers for the renters until one of them decided to bring them all home when they left. In the past we left towels and bedsheets in plastic tubs in the locked shed (renters provided their own linens) but it's nice to be able to leave them in the house. We also had to do a white glove cleanup, or pay for maid service every time we left, now we can leave the bed made, which is really nice when you're tired after traveling. We do have a shelf in the basement where we collect items to go down, or at least I do, DH brings his tool bucket back and forth, and collects other items the night before. You've got me thinking.

Since we started staying two weeks on Isla Mujeres, we rented privately-owned homes. We have stayed at Casa Roca Caribe several times and loved it there, although it's mid-island in one of the colonias so may not be to everyone's taste. Most visitors stay on the north side of the island where the best swimmable beaches are and for being in walking distance to downtown. We really enjoy being in an honest-to-goodness Mexican neighborhood, though. http://www.casarocacaribe.com/ Not sure of your budget, but there are many hotels to choose from in a variety of price ranges. Privilege Aluxes is very popular: and for a more boutique stay, Casa de los Suenos: and Villa la Bella: are gorgeous little gems. In all of our travels to Mexico, we have only done AI once and would not do it again. Especially on a place like Isla, you want to be out and about, and with all those restaurants (I think at last count I heard 138 of them) in such a small area, you are spoiled for choice. These pictures make me long to be back on Isla. Alas, no vacation for us this coming year as we're working towards paying off a mortgage. I'm not sure what other flight options you might have, but flying AA from DTW to CUN, you'd have to go through DFW. That might make for a long trip just to stay 3 nights, but then again, the weather on Isla in January-February should be heavenly. In Florida? Probably not so much. DH and I went to Clearwater in February and just about froze to death.

Msmeow, I think we are going to hit WG on the way. I’m on the east coast, for years we only went to beach/ocean areas. I have been most everywhere along entire east coast and everywhere from Tampa down on the west coast. Now that I’m older and have done the beach bit I’m ready to explore some of the real Florida charm. I mourn for old Florida. I miss the way it was. Once I find a place that pulls at my heart strings I’ll concentrate on finding a little retirement home. Something small where I can walk to town.