The Fleet Report and Daily for Tuesday August 22nd, 2023

[XBGuy]

Well, Diamond Bar hurricane recovery is, pretty much, complete.

 

 

As you might be able to discern the weather has reverted to the typical of August sunny and warm.

 

The downed Bougainvillea was stuffed into the green barrel (except for one big piece that did not fit but will go out next week), which is now on the curb waiting for the Waste Management truck to pick it up and take it to a composting facility.

 

 

🙂

 

[rafinmd]

Happy Anniversary Graham and Pauline, and Happy Birthday Eva @superoma.

 

The alert is now in service.  The company is investigating the earlier activation but have not heard the result yet.  In any case I am not sweating it.  It's a Medical Guardian Mini Guardain.  They have a very similar but older model called Mobile 2.0 and I'm not sure which @durangoscots has.  One question for @durangoscots does yours count your steps.   There's something about it in the software but I don't think it applies to this model.  I added a pair of glasses to the photo to provide a context for the unit's size.

 

 

Roy

 

 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Happy Anniversary @grapau27Graham and Pauline!  You two were as cute and photogenic then as you are today. 

Thank you so much for your nice words Sharon.

[luvteaching]

Good afternoon everyone!

 

@grapau27Happy Anniversary to you and Pauline! Enjoy your day. 

 

We're having a spate of cooler weather and the smoke has dissipated so that's good. I'm working on "stuff" for DH. I got notice today that his annuity transfer is going through. Yesterday I called to make sure his life insurance paperwork had made it (I got some paperwork on Saturday that led me to believe we'd crossed in the mail) and I was told it made it and payment is on its way to me - yay! 

 

Next is to try and resolve an ambulance trip that was ordered but not authorized through Medicare so coverage was denied and I have a bill for just over $1500.00. I'm trying to get Peace Health to reimburse me since they should have had it pre-approved. The saga continues. 

Meanwhile I'm doing some things for myself. I had some sciatic nerve issues that caused some limping and I put that aside as I focused on DH. Now I've started PT to get that resolved and it's helping but it's going to take awhile. 

The B.C. cousins are still on an evacuation alert and the firefighters seem to be making a bit of progress so that's good news. 

 

Enjoy your Tuesday! 

 

Karen

[durangoscots]

33 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Happy Anniversary Graham and Pauline, and Happy Birthday Eva @superoma.

 

The alert is now in service.  The company is investigating the earlier activation but have not heard the result yet.  In any case I am not sweating it.  It's a Medical Guardian Mini Guardain.  They have a very similar but older model called Mobile 2.0 and I'm not sure which @durangoscots has.  One question for @durangoscots does yours count your steps.   There's something about it in the software but I don't think it applies to this model.  I added a pair of glasses to the photo to provide a context for the unit's size.

 

 

Roy

 

 

Looks like the same model I have and mine does not count steps. I will be interested to hear what, if anything, they say about the early alert. By the way, the system that alerted for Diane when tossed in the trash was not Medical Guardian. My monitor is over a year old and has survived being dunked in the Animals River (and that is another story) which is not recommended.  Hope you find it works well for you.

[JazzyV]

5 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

Just heard the team helping Susan made it. Must be a great relief for Susan to be with her brother for her last days. They had to detour around a road closed for rock slides but had no problems. I’m sure they won’t be long on the turnaround and will leave this morning to head back to NM. Thanks again for your support. You all remind me that we’re never alone!  
m—

 

Great news that they made it safely to CA. What a kind service they did. Prayers for them to return to NM safely.

 

4 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Hello everyone,

Just checking in.  I appreciate being on the cares list.

Things are just not going well and I am not feeling well.

Hope to try to catch up today and read the Daily for the last few days.

Hope everyone is doing well and will post later if I can.

Floors still not done

Terri

 

I'm sorry to hear things aren't going well and that you don't feel well. I pray this all changes. Hugs.

 

4 hours ago, sailingdutchy said:

Today I would like to share with you a few pictures of a very special celebration while on board the Koningsdam 4 years ago yesterday , on August 19  2019  .

 

Martha and I renewed our vows in front of Captain Darin Bowland just a few months after we had celebrated our 50th  while we were at sea in the Mediterranean  going from Santorini , Greece to Napels, Italy . We were blessed to be able to do this in front of our daughter Natascha , her husband and our two grandsons Jackson and Spencer. 

 

 

Tony 😍😍

 

Thank you for sharing this special event with us! 

 

4 hours ago, aliaschief said:

Biopsy results. It’s a wart!😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

 

Woohoo! Great news!

 

3 hours ago, superoma said:

Just a quick check in, not at home. Today is my dh’s 78 birthday. My 73rd was on July 27, just one day before what would have been my dad’s 93rd birthday had he not passed away in may. But all your good wishes are appreciated, regardless of timing. Thank you! Will catch up with the daily in a couple of days when we are back home.

 

Eva, the Celebration list did say it is your DH's birthday, but I think when quickly reading the list people thought it was yours.

 

6 minutes ago, luvteaching said:

Good afternoon everyone!

 

I'm working on "stuff" for DH. I got notice today that his annuity transfer is going through. Yesterday I called to make sure his life insurance paperwork had made it (I got some paperwork on Saturday that led me to believe we'd crossed in the mail) and I was told it made it and payment is on its way to me - yay! 

 

Next is to try and resolve an ambulance trip that was ordered but not authorized through Medicare so coverage was denied and I have a bill for just over $1500.00. I'm trying to get Peace Health to reimburse me since they should have had it pre-approved. The saga continues. 

Meanwhile I'm doing some things for myself. I had some sciatic nerve issues that caused some limping and I put that aside as I focused on DH. Now I've started PT to get that resolved and it's helping but it's going to take awhile. 

The B.C. cousins are still on an evacuation alert and the firefighters seem to be making a bit of progress so that's good news. 

 

Enjoy your Tuesday! 

 

Karen

 

Good luck with all the insurance stuff for DD DH. And good to hear that you're doing some things for you! Continued prayers for your BC cousins that they stay safe and have no damage to their home.

[dfish]

Good afternoon, everyone!

 

We had a lovely day in Bar Harbor.  We took Oli’s Trolley so we could get to the top of Cadillac Mountain.  It is a great tour, but those benches in h the he trolley are really uncomfortable.  Acadia has gotten so crowded that it is not enjoyable to us anymore.  There was a huge backup of cars entering the park so our tour went overtime.  
 

We were starving when we got back.  We went to the West Street Cafe and had lobster rolls.  We wanted to try one to see what all the hoopla is and decided we’d stick to plain lobster in the future.  Sorry, no food porn.  We were so hungry lunch was gone before I thought of a picture.

 

Sadly, it is time for me to go haul out the suitcases and start filling them.

 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

Happy Anniversary Graham and Pauline, and Happy Birthday Eva @superoma.

 

The alert is now in service.  The company is investigating the earlier activation but have not heard the result yet.  In any case I am not sweating it.  It's a Medical Guardian Mini Guardain.  They have a very similar but older model called Mobile 2.0 and I'm not sure which @durangoscots has.  One question for @durangoscots does yours count your steps.   There's something about it in the software but I don't think it applies to this model.  I added a pair of glasses to the photo to provide a context for the unit's size.

 

 

Roy

 

 

Thank you Roy.

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

43 minutes ago, luvteaching said:

Good afternoon everyone!

 

@grapau27Happy Anniversary to you and Pauline! Enjoy your day. 

 

We're having a spate of cooler weather and the smoke has dissipated so that's good. I'm working on "stuff" for DH. I got notice today that his annuity transfer is going through. Yesterday I called to make sure his life insurance paperwork had made it (I got some paperwork on Saturday that led me to believe we'd crossed in the mail) and I was told it made it and payment is on its way to me - yay! 

 

Next is to try and resolve an ambulance trip that was ordered but not authorized through Medicare so coverage was denied and I have a bill for just over $1500.00. I'm trying to get Peace Health to reimburse me since they should have had it pre-approved. The saga continues. 

Meanwhile I'm doing some things for myself. I had some sciatic nerve issues that caused some limping and I put that aside as I focused on DH. Now I've started PT to get that resolved and it's helping but it's going to take awhile. 

The B.C. cousins are still on an evacuation alert and the firefighters seem to be making a bit of progress so that's good news. 

 

Enjoy your Tuesday! 

 

Karen

 

Karen, I'm glad you are getting the insurance, and other things straightened out.  I'm glad you are doing something for yourself.  I hope the PT takes care of the sciatica issues.

 

3 minutes ago, dfish said:

Good afternoon, everyone!

 

We had a lovely day in Bar Harbor.  We took Oli’s Trolley so we could get to the top of Cadillac Mountain.  It is a great tour, but those benches in h the he trolley are really uncomfortable.  Acadia has gotten so crowded that it is not enjoyable to us anymore.  There was a huge backup of cars entering the park so our tour went overtime.  
 

We were starving when we got back.  We went to the West Street Cafe and had lobster rolls.  We wanted to try one to see what all the hoopla is and decided we’d stick to plain lobster in the future.  Sorry, no food porn.  We were so hungry lunch was gone before I thought of a picture.

 

Sadly, it is time for me to go haul out the suitcases and start filling them.

 

 

Debbie, I'm glad you had a good day in Bar Harbor.  We did Ollie's trolley in 2013 on Veendam and enjoyed it.  I agree those seats are hard, and I thought I was well padded back there.  Lobster rolls are good, but they don't beat just plain old lobster with butter.

 

Lenda

[cunnorl]

7 minutes ago, dfish said:

Good afternoon, everyone!

 

We had a lovely day in Bar Harbor.  We took Oli’s Trolley so we could get to the top of Cadillac Mountain.  It is a great tour, but those benches in h the he trolley are really uncomfortable.  Acadia has gotten so crowded that it is not enjoyable to us anymore.  There was a huge backup of cars entering the park so our tour went overtime.  
 

We were starving when we got back.  We went to the West Street Cafe and had lobster rolls.  We wanted to try one to see what all the hoopla is and decided we’d stick to plain lobster in the future.  Sorry, no food porn.  We were so hungry lunch was gone before I thought of a picture.

 

Sadly, it is time for me to go haul out the suitcases and start filling them.

 

 Debbie,

     I have enjoyed traveling along with you, Sue and Sandi @StLouisCruisers Thanks for all the pictures and reports.

    Safe travels home.

Charlene

 

[Cruzin Terri]

@grapau27

Happy Anniversary to Graham and Pauline

 

 

[grapau27]

3 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

@grapau27

Happy Anniversary to Graham and Pauline

 

 

Lovely card and message. Thank you Terri.

[57redbird]

@grapau27  Wishing you both a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

[kazu]

1 hour ago, luvteaching said:

I'm working on "stuff" for DH. I got notice today that his annuity transfer is going through. Yesterday I called to make sure his life insurance paperwork had made it (I got some paperwork on Saturday that led me to believe we'd crossed in the mail) and I was told it made it and payment is on its way to me - yay! 

 

Good for you Karen 👏. That’s painful stuff you are doing and so glad that you have it fixed and going right 👍 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, luvteaching said:

 

Next is to try and resolve an ambulance trip that was ordered but not authorized through Medicare so coverage was denied and I have a bill for just over $1500.00. I'm trying to get Peace Health to reimburse me since they should have had it pre-approved. The saga continues. 

 

Oh ugh.  I hope Peace Health helps.  These fights are frustrating 😔  so sorry you have to do the extra work.  😢 

 

 

1 hour ago, luvteaching said:

 

Meanwhile I'm doing some things for myself. I had some sciatic nerve issues that caused some limping and I put that aside as I focused on DH. Now I've started PT to get that resolved and it's helping but it's going to take awhile. 

 

So glad you are taking care of yourself.  I hope the PT helps.  🤞 

 

 

[StLouisCruisers]

Hi all!  It's been pretty busy today but we are ready for departure tomorrow.  This morning we did most of the packing and also went through the Immigration lines on board.  Some fools delayed and delayed until they finally outed them with calling their names and stateroom numbers.  Bad passengers!

 

Then we went to lunch in the Lido where the chicken was awful.  If that is what they call fried chicken, I beg to differ.  Even DH wouldn't eat it!  Then we took the tender to town and people watched.  Last time we were in Bar Harbor was off season so talk about a big difference in visits.  Back to the ship where we finished up some last minute stuff.  I guess we'll head to the dining room this evening for one last time. 

 

I see no one had pictures of Halibut Point but there were shots of Halibut Cove today from Lenda's 2010 wildlife tour in Sitka.  I read an article on CruiseCritic that says they have upgraded the old 2012 dock at Sitka and made room for two ships, as well as a two story terminal there and have named it Halibut Point.  Should be really nice! 

[grapau27]

4 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Hi all!  It's been pretty busy today but we are ready for departure tomorrow.  This morning we did most of the packing and also went through the Immigration lines on board.  Some fools delayed and delayed until they finally outed them with calling their names and stateroom numbers.  Bad passengers!

 

Then we went to lunch in the Lido where the chicken was awful.  If that is what they call fried chicken, I beg to differ.  Even DH wouldn't eat it!  Then we took the tender to town and people watched.  Last time we were in Bar Harbor was off season so talk about a big difference in visits.  Back to the ship where we finished up some last minute stuff.  I guess we'll head to the dining room this evening for one last time. 

 

I see no one had pictures of Halibut Point but there were shots of Halibut Cove today from Lenda's 2010 wildlife tour in Sitka.  I read an article on CruiseCritic that says they have upgraded the old 2012 dock at Sitka and made room for two ships, as well as a two story terminal there and have named it Halibut Point.  Should be really nice! 

I hope you have a nice last night on board Sandi and safe travels home.

Graham.

[luvteaching]

We love Sitka and here are some photos of the dock at Halibut Point. There's even a Halibut Point Seafood and Chowder house. That's DH on his scooter ready to go to the shuttle and wander Sitka. These were taken last year in July. I believe this is the Westerdam. 

 

Here's DH in front of the sign. The new structure behind him houses shops, the restaurant, etc.

 

Here are a few views from our balcony. 

 

[USN59-79]

Speaking of medical alert devices, I just received an unsolicited phone call from a person offering me a free device.  Knowing that most calls like that are scams, I hung up and then decided to search the internet.  Found that veterans can receive a device from the VA at no cost.  Some, but not all Tricare members are also eligible.  As I mentioned recently, I also found that my iPhone works as a medical alert device if I press the button on both sides of it at the same time.  I suspect that the one Roy @rafinmdordered is probably a much better device, but it is good to know that we have choices.  Not sure if I need to wear one now, but at 83, I am starting to pay attention to my mortality.  

Ray

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

47 minutes ago, luvteaching said:

We love Sitka and here are some photos of the dock at Halibut Point. There's even a Halibut Point Seafood and Chowder house. That's DH on his scooter ready to go to the shuttle and wander Sitka. These were taken last year in July. I believe this is the Westerdam. 

 

Here's DH in front of the sign. The new structure behind him houses shops, the restaurant, etc.

 

Here are a few views from our balcony. 

 

 

Karen, thanks for the great pictures.  Glad your DH enjoyed Sitka.

 

Lenda

[Sharon in AZ]

I did a bit of research looking at maps and Halibut Cove and Halibut Point are different places. Halibut Cove is near Homer and Halibut Point is the Sitka cruise dock in Sitka Sound. The road into Sitka is called Halibut Point Road. So I guess today’s port is just another way of saying Sitka cruise port. The first time we went to Sitka we anchored and tendered and it was right at the town in the bay. I believe some ships still do that if the cruise port is full. We saw a cruise ship anchored when we were there September 2021. 
 

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by Sharon in AZ

[arzz]

FYI re:  Passports. We booked a cruise in July for this November. This will be our first cruise since the pandemic. Since our passports were due to expire in March of 2024 we needed to renew for them to be valid for 6 months from cruising date. Our hair stood on end as we read about the turnover time for passport renewal. 
 

so .. we overnight mailed our passports in and paid the fee to expedite the process. The state department received the passports and our application on July 17 and we received our new passports in the mail today. We were told the turnover time might be over 9 weeks for expedited passports when we mailed them in July. Delighted that it was much faster than that. 

[durangoscots]

My cell phone allows me to call in an emergency. I did not think I needed or wanted a wearable alert until I found myself on the ground at night with no easy way to get up. Fortunately a neighbor came by. So, now, even though I find it a bit of a bother, I wear mine when I am in the house or walking alone. Don't worry about it when I am around people in a public place .... I figure they will notice if I am flat on my face or on my behind. My neighbors encouraged me to get one. I have had it for over a year and I do feel better about being alone. The one thing is you have to remember to keep it charged. A friend of mine fell in her house a number of years ago and broke her hip. She had her devise on.... but it was not charged.  It took her several hours to drag herself to where she could pull down her landline phone and call for help. And I do test mine now and then to be sure it is working ok.

 

Susan

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good evening.  I knew this morning the port of the day was Halibut Point, and I had looked it up on Google maps several days ago.  I don't know if I was still half asleep or just in a hurry when I wrote Halibut Cove instead of Halibut Point.   I did know that the pictures from the boat I posted were taken in the area of Halibut Point.  BTW, Google Maps still shows the cruise terminal as Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal.  Sorry about any confusion my mistake caused.

 

This will be strange since I am going to post the links to tomorrow's port of the day and my pictures from the port tonight.  Unfortunately, when I checked Sandi's @StLouisCruisers posts for Qaqortoq, her pictures could not be accessed.   DH has an appointment at UTSW at 9 am in the morning, and we have to leave here at 7am at the latest.  I know I won't have time to get everything posted in the morning.  I'm hoping that if it's all on today's Daily and I wake up early enough, I can copy and paste the posts tomorrow morning.  If not, maybe someone else could do it for me.

 

The port of the day for Wednesday, August 23, is Qaqortoq.  It has been the port of the day twice before, on March 2, 2021 and September 23, 2022.  Thanks to Sandi, @StLouisCruisers, I was able to find the link to the first time we had Qaqortoq as the port of the day, since a search did not go back that far.  I used the link in her post from last year to get to this link.

 

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We have been lucky enough to visit Qaqortoq twice, once in 2009 on the Tahitian Princess and again in 2017 on the Prinsendam.  The weather the first time was cold and rainy, but in 2017, we had a nice sunny day. These are some of the pictures I posted before, but I've added a few more today.

 

This is one of the buildings as it was in 2009.

 

And the same building in 2017.

We were looking forward to seeing that car again.

 

This is the building in 2009 from the front and inside.  In 2017, it was still a restaurant, but it had changed names and was not open when we walked by.

 

 

A stone statue

 

A few of the carvings cut into some of the rock around town.

 

 

 

An overview of the town.  Like most towns in Greenland, the houses are brightly painted.

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

 

There are two churches in Qaqortoq.  These first pictures are of the modern church on the hill near the hotel.  In the first picture, the church is the large white building in the upper right hand corner.

 

 

 

This is the older, smaller church down nearer the water.

 

Some pictures from our walk around town

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by Quartzsite Cruiser