Dad drove us to the airport Thursday evening (thanks Dad!) in what began a 24 hour process to get to sea. Mary Claire got to enjoy an amazingly beautiful sunset flight to Miami. It was her first flight. She was less nervous than Kathy. We saw a vertical rainbow, orange and pink clouds, and towards the end of flight, lightening inside of clouds.

We took a free shuttle to our hotel where we checked in about 10 pm. Walked to dinner to a nearby Burger King. Our first vacation meal of many (better) to come. Woke up for the free buffet. Shuttled back to the airport to pick up two cabs to the Port of Miami. Dropped off our luggage and spent the afternoon at an open-air mall where we had Cuban sandwiches for lunch.

Took a bus back to the port (a small island) where we were processed and climbed aboard. The lady handing out drinks said, “I do not know how old he is” pointing to Danny. “He’s 18,” I said. She handed him a Rum Swizzle. Nicole, Kathy, and I also got swizzles. The little girls got OJ.

Day 1 Photos: mac.fiveforks.com/windjammer2005/day1/