The Summer of 2013 – Where did it go? (Part 1)

Sep26

I’ve always considered Summer to officially start on Memorial Day and end on Labor Day. I suppose it will always be that way for me. The official dates of Summer for 2013 were June 21st through September 22nd, so that’s the period I will cover!

Beth and I started the Summer of 2013 off in Boston, taking a cruise on the Carnival Glory to St. John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia. We had never ventured north on a cruise ship, and were very glad we did something different for a change.

This was the scene leaving Boston Harbor.

If you haven’t cruised on a Carnival ship lately, you need to. Almost all of the ships have now undergone extensive renovations. Guy’s Burger Joint, The Red Frog, Blue Iguana, and other venues have all been added to bring your cruising experience to new levels.

And the staterooms are awesome as well. For this cruise, we chose an 11th floor balcony.

Making this cruise even better was knowing that one of our favorite crew members from past cruises, Nolan Villamor, would also be aboard the Glory. I am confident Carnival will one day promote Nolan to Maitre’d!

St. John, New Brunswick is a neat port city, where the St. John’s River flows into the Bay of Fundy. The tide fluctuates as much as thirty feet daily, making the “reversing falls” a continual attraction.

During Lobster Season, you will even find McLobster at the golden arches! Yes, I had to try one, and it was surprisingly good.

We bought tickets for the “Pink Bus,” where you can ride anytime the entire day for one price. We ride out to the falls in the morning, and then back that afternoon to see the river flowing both ways!

St. John is full of beautiful, historic buildings. One fine residence displayed this plaque by its front door.

Onward to the seaport of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The harbor is very active, and historical buildings are everywhere!

Pubs and eateries are everywhere along the harbor in Halifax. You can also purchase a Harbor Ferry pass, where you can also access the city’s bus transit system all for one low fare.

Thomas The Tug is another popular sight along the harbor. You can purchase rides on it also!

After departing Halifax, we would have a full day at sea before arriving in Boston. Our cabin was the most forward cabin on the port side of Deck 11. Would recommend this part of the ship to anyone.

Boston Harbor is a beautiful place. The sun was coming up as we entered.

Cruising from the Port of Boston is a breeze. Just a $20, 15 minute cab ride from the airport to the ship! If you love cruising, but are somewhat tired of the Caribbean, give cruising out of Boston a try. It was a refreshing change!

Next time, we will plan at least a day for sightseeing in Boston. This year, we had to get back to Nashville for the rest of the Summer of 2013! Be on the lookout for Part 2!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340 and VP Sales for Tennessee’s largest home builder, OleSouth.com, specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Gallatin, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Honduras – Let’s go again!

Jan26

The highlight of each new year is returning to Honduras with Rotarians from District 6760 and friends. We will spend one week in the Choluteca region of southern Honduras. We will visit many friends we have come to know over the years, and meet many more!

This year, our group will bring electricity to a total of 68 families. In the Las Delicias village near San Marcos De Colon, we will complete service for 22 homes. During this time, we will stay at one of our favorite hotels – The Hotel Barcelona in San Marcos De Colon.

After the work is finished there, we will move to the Rivera Hotel in Choluteca and complete the wiring for 46 homes in the village of Tapaci, just outside of El Jocote, which we “electrified” in 2008.

Last year, our project was to build a home for the family of Mario Sandoval and Dania Osorto. Windows and doors have been installed since we were there and I look forward to posting those pictures when we return.

Here is Mario, Dania, Daniela, and Mario Jr. in front of their new home.

Honduras is a place where everything makes a difference in someone’s life. Every minute spent, every penny collected, every tear shed, every dollar donated.

Many that are unable to visit in person have made generous donations to our club for humanitarian efforts while we are there. Needs are plentiful there, but resources are scarce. We may not be able to help everyone at one time, but we have helped many – one at a time.

Back in 2007, a co-worker and friend Rob Calk slipped me $200 cash a few days before we left. He said “do something cool with it” and left it at that. On the way to our project each day, we passed a very “run-down” house, bound together with plastic tarps and cardboard. Adjoining this “house” was a foundation for a new home similar to above, and that work had been abandoned.

We stopped and learned that the single mom and 4 kids were all alone. Their Dad had been killed earlier in the year. He had started a new home for them, and those hopes left with his death, until she could save the money to continue construction. In our best attempt at Spanish, we asked the mother what it would cost to finish the house. She knew exactly the cost of the supplies she needed, and said she had neighbors that would help her with volunteer labor.

She answered with the figure in Lempira, Honduras currency unit. After running a few calculations, she needed $200 USD. Unbeknownst to Rob, he had just financed the completion of a home in Honduras!

That evening back at the hotel, some of the others learned of what we did with Rob’s money and laughed at us. They said we should have given it to an organization, or someone responsible to oversee. They predicted Rob’s money would be used to throw a party. I just looked and said – “Right now, a party might be more important than the house – whichever they decide to do is fine with us!”

The following year, we rode down this path….a completed house stood where the abandoned foundation had been just one year before. The former house was now being used for storage and chickens. The house had obviously won out over the party. I do have before and after pictures, but just cannot find them to post. Rob did get to see both, by the way! The family was most appreciative too, and yes they remembered us immediately!

This year will identify more needs that we will address. If you would like to donate a few discretionary bucks, just let me know as we leave Friday morning, February 1, 2013. We promise that donations will not be spent on beer!

I can’t wait to document this year’s trip when we return, and also to share the news of another amazing story – a story how a young child from Honduras will be admitted to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital for major surgery upon our return – thanks to the efforts of Middle Tennesseans involved in our projects! As of today, he and his mom have received their medical visas for the trip. More to follow.

Until then, we’ll be down there doing what we can to help – one family at a time!

January Cruise 2013 – A Quick Getaway (Part 3)

Jan22

We’re back on the boat in Progreso, headed to Cozumel and I just realized I had forgotten about “Formal Night” on the Carnival Elation. I left my phone/camera in the cabin and didn’t take a single picture myself. I was pleased to see more people than usual dressed in formal attire, especially the ladies in their assorted short skirts and heels!

All throughout the promenade are various photo backdrops, and it doesn’t cost a thing to give your best pose. If you see a photo that you like, you can buy it. If you don’t, just leave it in the rack. This is a great opportunity for you to get that new Linkd-In, Facebook, or Twitter Profile shot – or a family portrait without expensive sitting fees.

Meanwhile, I worried about Ruby, our Blue Doberman, and if she was having seperation anxiety. Turns out she wasn’t, thanks to our dear friend Julie, who also is a profressional “dog-person.”

Tuesday morning, the Carnival Elation arrived on time at Cozumel, and the day was going to be simply gorgeous! Shown here is the Pilot Boat that drops off and picks up a “Harbor Pilot” from each incoming and outgoing cruise ship. The “Pilot Boat” has got to be a great scam!

In Cozumel, Elation was docked right next to its younger twin sister, Paradise.

This was the first time we have docked at the older downtown pier in many years. All things considered, I like it better. Downtown is still the hub of activity for this great port!

A large part of our group wanted beach time, and Carlos and Charlies Beach Club was the destination! The van driver they hooked up with told them it was no longer there, but he had a better beach for them. I could give a rat’s ass about getting sand in my crotch, so six of us decided to rent our own car and see just what happened to Carlos and Charlie’s Beach Club.

Not only was it still there, it was even better! The food is great, and the selection of drinks is endless. It is located about 10 km south of the newest cruise ship pier.

After a few snacks and drinks, we decided to ride around the back side of the island of Cozumel, making a complete circle before heading back to the ship.

The shopping area at the cruise pier has a shop for everything you would imagine, even a Drugs and Deli.

And the rest of our gang made it back for the Cozumel sail-a-way!

We enjoyed great service from our Dining Room server Sydney, from Indonesia.

I regret not having a camera with me for more of the cruise. We had a great experience. Cruise Director Willie Lee had everything on the ship “in synch” if that is a term. His staff was cheerful and was always around making sure everyone had a great time. the Wednesday Night Deck party was one of the most lively I have seen. If I had my camera then, I probably would have dropped it!

There was always a creature waiting back in the cabin. I wish they could make one of Ruby!

We were off the ship and in the car headed home at 8:15 am on Thursday! The weather forecasts were not sounding good through Alabama, but since when is a weatherman right?

We made it just past Cullman, Alabama before we hit a large traffic jam around 4:00 pm. There was no turning around. Mile Marker 313 on Interstate 65 North would be our home for the next 9.5 hours! At least the Greyhound Bus next to us had free wi-fi!

We arrived back in Nashville at 3:45 am Friday morning. You know what? I’d still do it all again!!! You should too!

January 2013 Cruise – A Quick and Fun Getaway (Part 2)

Jan21

Boarding the Carnival Elation at New Orleans was a breeze and we were onboard just minutes after parking the car. Once onboard, you have to get a ceremonial drink to start your cruise. I chose a Bloody Mary since it was before noon.

Carnival Elation is the 7th in the series of 8 Fantasy Class ships of Carnival. It was built in 1998 at a cost of $350 million dollars and was the first cruise ship to ever use “Azipods” for propulsion. If you are wondering what an Azipod is, CLICK HERE.

The Elation and its sisters are considered small ships by today’s standards at 855′ in length, carrying 2052 passengers and 920 crew. No matter what they say, it is still a damn big boat!

We were last on Elation in October of 2011 for its final sailing from Mobile, Alabama. When we returned, it went to dry dock for refurbishment of certain areas and general maintenance. Although it did not get additional balconies or the water park, it still emerged as a new ship and you could notice the improvements on our sailing.

At 1:30 pm, our rooms were ready. It is amazing to me just how quick the ship can be “made new” after each voyage. Off we go to Cabin M22.

Before we knew it, the ship was setting sail. What a relief – no Homeland Security issues this time! (READ THIS and you’ll know what I am talking about)

The closer we got to the Gulf of Mexico, the foggier it got. When you can’t see, just blow the horn and they’ll move right? Notice the ever-changing lighting effects of the pool.

Carnival just recently introduced the Punchliner Comedy Club on all ships and it is going over quite well. Comedian Russ Nagel was beyond terrific as you can see from the standing room only crowd!

Another cool event recently introduced is “Superstar Live.” This is just like karaoke, except you sing with a live band – which happened to be the Carnival Elation show band. Here is the group “Sexual Chocolate” performing at “Superstar Live.”

I won’t bore you with all the details about the great meals except to say the famous Chocolate Melting Cake has not changed a bit!

The first Port of Call (formal term for ship stop) was Progreso, Mexico, which to many is a “shit hole.” For whatever reason, I like this stop because it is the closest you will ever get to “real life” in Mexico from a cruise ship. It is worth the free bus ride from the pier into town to check things out. They now have a “bus port” complete with a new straw market, and its even closer to the beach.

Inflation has struck the beach in Progreso. A massage that used to be $10 is now $20. Don’t choke – they will still negotiate!

The locals are on this beach in full force trying to sell everything you can think of…. and a few things you would never imagine. Don’t let it annoy you. They are just trying to feed their families and a boat load of tourists are “easy pickings!”

I have found it best to tip the “cold beer on the beach guy” and ask him to keep the other vendors away while you sit on the beach with your cold beer. That works.

Many musicians stroll the beach at Progreso for tips.

It is especially fun to tip them to play for the people getting a massage. Thats what I always do.

And you can tip them to ride back to the ship with you. I did that too.

And once back to the Port, there are several bars with a great atmosphere. Don’t get back on board just yet!

The Port of Progreso is a huge industrial port and cruise ship visits are relatively new in comparison. Each visit, I can see more and more tourism developing this third world town into what will one day be a thriving resort location. Just wait and see!

Part 3 finds the Carnival Elation in Cozumel. Join us there, and also as we head back home on what would become “the drive home from hell!”

Janaury 2013 Cruise – A Quick and Fun Getaway! (Part 1)

Jan20

There is never a good time to plan a vacation, even a short one. When times are slow, we’re out there hammering pennies from the pavement. When times are busier, as they thankfully are now, there are just not enough hours in the day!

Sometimes, everyone is better served if you take just a few days to recharge yourself – and that is what 26 of us just did!

We headed out at 7:00 Friday morning, January 11th for New Orleans. Sometimes, I would rather drive to New Orleans rather than fly. One reason is this “drive-thru daiquiri joint” in Pearl River, just outside of New Orleans.

We arrived at the Drury Inn Suites at Carondelet and Poydras Street around 3:00 pm. Several in our group chose to fly down and we all arrived at the same time. The Drury is convenient to everything – Carondelet turns into Bourbon Street one block over, Harrahs Casino is 3 blocks down, and they have a complimentary happy hour and hot breakfast included with your room. They also have a rooftop pool.

It had rained the entire day, but the skies cleared just in time for us to enjoy a night on Bourbon Street. First a visit to Harrah’s, where Beth picked up a quick $100. After dinner at Pat O’Briens, we joined all the other tourists and freaks on Bourbon Street.

I ran across these two girls. They said they were doing this to pay off their student loans. I believed them.

This cat was just a freak and couldn’t possibly have had a student loan, and probably wouldn’t pay it if he/she did.

Regardless of your level of social tolerance, Bourbon Street really is something to experience.

The cruise ships normally arrive in New Orleans before sunrise, and you can usually see them from the roof top of the Drury Inn. Not today!

The Carnival Elation had arrived, so after breakfast, we loaded up the car and headed to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. Normally we would have left our car at the Drury Inn, which usually includes parking in their cruise special. This year, they are adding on to the hotel and building a parking garage. In other words, we had no choice but to park at the cruise terminal ($75), where we arrived at 11:15 am and were on the ship having the first drink at 11:40. The Port of New Orleans and Carnival Shoreside staff have mastered the process here!

This cruise was my 20th sailing, the 14th with Carnival and the other six with Royal Caribbean and Princess. I keep returning to Carnival quite frankly because I have had more fun on their ships. Damien Smart, my Carnival Vacation Planner, has always taken great care of us, and everyone that sails with us. People may think I get rewards or kickbacks for these cruises, but I don’t. I just recommend people that I have good experiences with. Give Damien a call at 1-800-819-3902, ext 82885.

Meanwhile, up on Lido Deck, you can see just how busy the Mississippi River is at New Orleans.

Nashville’s own Ingram Barge Lines has a huge presence here and the boats they have here make the ones we see on the Cumberland look like toys. Years ago, Ingram Barge’s main office was located in the Shell Building in New Orleans prior to Mr. Bronson Ingram moving it to Nashville.

And then there are numerous freighters like these all around.

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Most people don't realize that the Port of New Orleans is over 100 miles away from the mouth of the Mississippi at the Gulf of Mexico. The nice thing about cruising from New Orleans, no matter what the weather is on the high seas, your first and last 8 hours of cruising will be smooth!

Check back for Part 2 and find out all about the Carnival Elation and the ports of Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico.

The Return of Steamboating to Tennessee!

Mar25

There were three Queens that once plied the US inland rivers. The Delta Queen, The Mississippi Queen, and The American Queen. All were once owned and operated by The Delta Queen Steamboat Company. In 2008, each of these boats ceased operations.

The Delta Queen was fortuante enough to continue her service as a hotel in Chattanooga. The Misissippi Queen was sold for scrap. CLICK HERE for a previous blog article about The Delta Queen.

Meanwhile, The American Queen, originally launched in 1995, was idled in foreclosure at the US Maritime Reserve Fleet in Beaumont, Texas to await its fate.

Fast forward to 2011, and the start-up of the Great American Steamboat Company, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The American Queen was purchased and towed to a shipyard in Sulphur, Louisiana for renovation. The American Queen Steamboat Company is putting the that third queen back into service!

CLICK HERE for the history of the American Queen.

Thanks to The American Queen Steamboat Company, the only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America will have Memphis has its home port! And the new Godmother of this reborn legend is none other than Priscilla Presley.

The maiden voyage of The American Queen departs New Orleans on April 13th, 2012. On April 27, 2012 the Queen will arrive in Memphis for its christening ceremony at Beale Street Landing.

For the rest of 2012, The American Queen will offer a variety of 5 to 10 night cruises departing from New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, and St. Paul, MN. Here is the current American Queen website.

To learn more about the rebirth of this grand vessel, visit the American Queen Steamboat Company website.

Who knows, maybe The American Queen will pay a visit to Nashville in 2013. We’ll be there when she does!

(photos courtesy of American Queen Steamboat Company website and Facebook Page)

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340 or email TLewis@olesouth.com. Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Nashville New Homes: Your Very Own Dream Machine

Mar24

The past few years have offered some incredible opportunities for home ownership, with many just now getting off of the fence and exploring. What did they see, hear or feel that made them decide to act now?

I love selling new homes. You meet so many neat people. While they may have different needs, they all have one common desire – they want to own something!

One prospect I recently worked with answered the question like this…. “If I don’t buy anything now, I won’t have anything to sell later!”

She explained her reasoning…. a friend in her office was retiring. She and her husband were turning 60. All of their kids were grown. Their house was paid for. Their dream was planned. They wanted to see the world while they could still enjoy the experience.

They had recently sold their home of 35 years. With the proceeds, they purchased a smaller town home so they would have a place to get the mail, or a “home base.” They purchased a large Motor Home with plans to visit every state in the continental US, and Canada too! They were leaving April 30th, with no firm plans other than to take a break for a 14-day European Cruise in September. Needless to say, they still had a chunk of money left over from the sale of their home!

My prospect has similar dreams for her future, and like she said earlier, “If I don’t buy anything now, I won’t have anything to sell later!”

In essence, her new home is now her very own “Dream Machine.” When she is retirement age, it will be paid for. It will be hers to sell. The proceeds will be hers to enjoy. She put it even simpler…. “After 30 years of renting, all I would get is a Change of Address Form. Now I will have something to sell!”

Everyone has a dream for the future. Owning your own home will increase your ability to pursue that dream. And as long as you continue to rent, you are giving your landlord the ability to pursue his or her dream.

What is YOUR dream? There is a “Dream Machine” that can make it come true! CLICK HERE to find yours.

2012: Back to Honduras – Part 4 – The Long Ending!

Mar4

One thing that we look forward to each year is interacting with the families we come in contact with each day. Each morning we visit the local store to purchase our needs for the day, and we always purchase containers of rice, beans, sardines, and snacks for families that need a little break. This year, our great friend Sid Neuhoff gave our “food fund” a great send-off and because of Sid, many added families were helped. We look for Sid to visit Honduras with us one year!

This year, we did not come in contact with as many different families as we have in past years. Our work this year was concentrated on one family in particular. If you want to find a family in need, you don’t have to look very far. David Hartley has a special “knack” for finding those that need it the most.

One evening, on the way back from the jobsite, David yells, “STOP RIGHT HERE!”

After their home was demolished from flooding, the family assembled a structure to keep them out of the elements. One day, they will hopefully have something more substantial.

Inside, David found three children, with the oldest being four years old. Mom and Dad were still working in the fields. In this economy, you work whenever work is available. We left what we had that evening, and stopped by again the next evening with more!

Hopefully we will be able to help this family even more on our next visit. Their original home was washed away in October 2011, during the severe rains that resulted in catastrophic flooding of southern Honduras. Many families were affected by flooding and have yet to recover. If we all help a little bit, we can make a lot of difference.

As stated earlier, each year the circle of friends gets larger and we would like to visit everyone we know as well as our past projects each year, which can’t always happen. This year, our friends from the Rotary Club of Choluteca joined us for dinner one evening at El Potrillo. The staff at El Potrillo was excellent, as was the breakfasts and dinners we had there.

The Staff of El Potrillo. This is an excellent place to dine and a great place to stay while in Honduras.

We also enjoyed dinner several evenings with Teresa and her great staff at the Barcelona Hotel in San Marcos de Colon. Their fried chicken is known all over southern Honduras!

Staff of the Barcelona Hotel in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras.

Ann and Sharon were able to visit Jayacayan, the site of last year’s project. Jeremy and I were able to attend the Choluteca Rotary Club meeting Friday evening. Our Tennessee District Governor, Dick Bowers, was also there as was the others representing Lawrenceburg Rotary Club, who coordinated this year’s effort.

Meeting of the Choluteca Rotary Club.

By sneaking out of the Rotary meeting early, I was able to catch up with David Hartley and Keith Clodfelter who were having dinner with the Osotro family, that we have known for years.

The Osotro Family. Esther, MaMa, Carolina, Jose, and Michelle.

Each year, we look forward to taking a day off to explore. Friday started off with a visit to downtown Choluteca and its many streetside vendors.

The streets of Choluteca Honduras

Ever wonder what happened to all of the Datsun B-210’s? They are now taxi cabs in Choluteca.

At the straw market, you can find just about anything you would want, especially fresh fruit.

After a few hours in Choluteca, we headed to Coyolito, where we would catch a boat over to the island of Amapala, also known as “Isla de Tigre.”

Supplies delivered to Coyolito for the ride over to Amapala.

We visited this island on last year’s trip and felt the need to see it again. I have always said Amapala would be a great cruise ship port and I just learned that representatives from NCL, Carnival, and Princess Cruise Lines were on the island exploring that possibility the day before we were there!

We boarded the boat at Coyolito with Romario and who we will call Captain Smiley. He never stopped smiling the entire day!

Coyolito, where you catch a water taxi to Amapala Island, shown in the distance.

The boat ride to the fishing village and restaurant is about 45 minutes. I am not sure what the exact charge per person normally is, but we paid $100 US for all eight of us for the boat for the entire day.

The fishing village and restaurant as seen from the Gulf of Fonseca.

I cannot remember, nor could pronouce the name of the beachside restaurant, but here it is.

Beachside Restaurant on Amapala Island, Honduras

The food was awesome! Not only cooked to order, but caught to order. Very possibly the best shrimp I have ever had.

Cleaning the day's catch on Amapala Island. From the boat to the skillet!

Huge portions too!

Fish and Shrimp combo, freshly caught and cooked while you wait.

Early Saturday morning, we left Choluteca for Tegucigalpa, anticipating extra traffic on Saturday morning. The traffic was even worse than anticipated. There was still time to enjoy a Big Mac inside the Tegucigalpa airport before our flight to Miami.

Mc Donalds inside Tegucigalpa airport

A long, great day seeing the sunrise in Choluteca, and the sunset in Miami.

It is truly amazing how many of the same places and same scenes can create different, yet wonderful memories year after year. We will be returning to southern Honduras again next February, and who knows…maybe before. If you would like to join us, or just participate financially, lending a helping hand in Honduras is a truly rewarding experience.

2012 – Back to Honduras – Part 3 – The Work

Feb19

After the brief visit to San Marcos de Colon, we arrived at this year’s job site mid-morning on Sunday, February 5th to find piles of rock, stacks of concrete block, and several mounds of sand and gravel to be used to construct the new home for Dania, Mario, and their family in El Carazal.

We were greeted by the two youngest children, standing at the door of the house we were going to replace.

Trenches for the foundation of the new home had already been dug, along with post holes for the re-bar supports. Step one was to build the “footers” of the foundation with a mixture of large rocks and concrete.

In America, if we need something, we go to the local store and buy it. Not so in Honduras…if you need something, you use what you have, or what is laying nearby on the ground. For that reason, a local stone mason was hired to assist us this week for the sum of 300 lps each day, the equivalent of $15 US Dollars. We called him “El Hefe,” which can be translated as “boss.”

We also had the help of Evan, who is 13 and lives nearby. Evan has never attended school and works every day to help meet his family’s needs. Every morning and afternoon, he was seen carrying large bags of produce on his shoulders from the fields to a warehouse down the road.

Ann and Sharon spent the days teaching at school, which ends at 12:00 noon, allowing the older children to work in the fields. After school, they kept the children at the jobsite occupied learning new things.

After the “footers” were complete, the foundation began to rise from the ground.

We kept waiting all week for the cement truck to show up. It never did and all of the mortar was hand mixed. A shovel-ready job!

Need more sand or gravel? Just ask. The sand and gravel for this job came from a nearby streambed on property belonging to Margarite – who we met on last year’s electrical project in Jayacayan.

Ronnie Strickland, the “grand-daddy” of our Honduran involvement, stopped by to lend a hand also. When we leave, Ronnie will make certain the home gets totally completed. By now, it is obvious we will only be able to complete the necessary block work during our time there.

We had many visitors during the week. Leonardo, our friend from the Choluteca Rotary Club, was one of them. It was great to see him again!

We also had some other distinguished guests drop by. The batteries were dead on my camera so you will have to take my word for it. Our current Rotary District Governor, Dick Bowers, along with Past District Governors Jimmy Couch and Jim Johnston visited our jobsite and offered much needed encouragement! Because of their visit this year, we hope to see the return of larger Rotary projects in the future!

We also met Jonathan from Virginia, who has spent two years in Honduras teaching, and will be there another year. He jumped in and helped us the entire week.

Building a house using concrete block is very hard work. Thank goodness you have to stop and allow the mortar to dry every now and then!

By Thursday evening, ALL of the interior and exterior concrete block walls are in place!

Although we were not able to physically complete the entire home during our stay, we did leave Dania, Mario, and the family all of the materials they would need to finish their new home, and left enough money to pay Mr. “El Hefe” to assist in finishing the job.

Here are some more scenes from the job site:

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In the next part, we managed to visit with many friends and returned to places we had visited on previous trips. Again, thanks for reading!

2012 – Back to Honduras – Part 2 – Getting there, Getting around.

Feb18

Humanitarian Aid is a major factor in the Honduran economy, and Middle Tennessee has a great presence there. Churches, Rotary Clubs, Medical Brigades, and Educators all have an active presence. Every time we have been, the plane is full of volunteers headed to Honduras.

Almost everyone on the Nashville – Miami flight was headed for a Honduras mission of some kind. My dentist was on the same flight too! He was traveling with his church to visit Mission Lazarus, a working ranch that houses many needy children and provides educational, spiritual, and medical support throughout southern Honduras. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Landing in Tegucigalpa is always an experience, no matter how many times you have been. It used to be rated the most dangerous airport in the world. Now it is #2. The runway was extended.

After exiting the plane, going through immigration is a breeze.

Just outside the terminal building is Frederico at Friendship Car Rental. Every year, we rent small diesel trucks for our journey at approximately $70/day.

These Nissan and Toyota diesel trucks are really neat! It is a shame they are not available in the US or I would have one!

Tegucigalpa has everything you would expect to see in a capital city. Even a Kentucky Fried Chicken, where we usually grab a meal before the ride to Choluteca. We didn’t this year. Chuck Payne wasn’t with us!

To reach Choluteca, we follow the Tegucigalpa Highway to the port city San Lorenzo and then take the Pan-American Highway to Choluteca, and onward to San Marcos de Colon, our final destination.

In October 2011, Honduras was devastated by heavy rains and flooding. CLICK HERE for the story. Landslides were frequent along the way, adding a lot of extra drive time… and sore spots from the many potholes!

It will be a long time before these highways are restored, and there are many other weak areas that might not withstand another heavy rainy season. And there are always slide areas that just don’t ever get fixed!

These roads are dangerous enough and fatal accidents are very common. Here is a memorial built alongside a bluff on the Pan American Highway in memory of the 35 children that died when their bus left the road in 1965. CLICK HERE for the original article. This memorial is 100 yards away from the home we built this year.

We arrived at Choluteca to meet Jim Johnston with the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club. It was there that we learned we would not be staying at the Barcelona Hotel in San Marcos de Colon, as they were full. A new place had opened up, El Potrillo, near Jayacayan. They were expecting us. I already knew where it was…so off we went.

We arrived at El Potrillo and got checked into our rooms, which were actually brand new cabins! Although more pricey ($30 per person per night) than the Barcelona ($15), the accomodations were fantastic. Breakfast was included in the rate as well, and it too was fabulous!

El Potrillo is a new weekend playground for residents of Choluteca to escape the heat. It’s higher elevation features cooler nights (60’s) and days (low 80’s). They have just completed (12) 3-bedroom cabins, and have a full restaurant and bar, swimming pool, fishing lake, horseback riding, event arena, and karaoke club. We just used the cabins and the restaurant. Every meal we had there was fantastic and the cabins were super nice, complete with rocking chair porches!

On Sunday morning, we ventured into San Marcos de Colon for church. I didn’t understand all the words, but something was different about this service. There was a box at the front of the church that appeared to be a casket. Well, it was. We were attending a funeral.

We then ventured to the Barcelona Hotel, knowing they would let us use their clean restrooms! And what a surprise… the downstairs of Barcelona was now a full variety store, a mini-Wal-Mart. It turns out it was actually owned by Wal Mart too.

Every year, the circle of friends gets bigger. Many great relationships have formed over the years, and new ones created each year! Stay tuned for Part 3!

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Category Archives: Travel

The Summer of 2013 – Where did it go? (Part 1)

Honduras – Let’s go again!

January Cruise 2013 – A Quick Getaway (Part 3)

January 2013 Cruise – A Quick and Fun Getaway (Part 2)

Janaury 2013 Cruise – A Quick and Fun Getaway! (Part 1)

The Return of Steamboating to Tennessee!

Nashville New Homes: Your Very Own Dream Machine

2012: Back to Honduras – Part 4 – The Long Ending!

2012 – Back to Honduras – Part 3 – The Work

2012 – Back to Honduras – Part 2 – Getting there, Getting around.

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