Happy Birthday, Terry

The jogging track

Today is our 3rd full day at sea and Terry's birthday! Last night was formal night and picture taking by the ship's photographers. We had a few taken but the best one was the one our waiter took of us at our table with our camera! We are now just over half way to Hawaii and the weather is getting warmer every day. Our morning routine includes trying to get some running/jogging in to help keep the pounds off on this long cruise. The fitness center with the treadmills and elipticals is crazy busy in the morning. So we opt to find a place to run (Terry) and jog/power walk (Joyce). The choices are Deck 7 Promenade that goes around the entire ship or the jogging track on the top level of the ship where 1 lap = 1/10 mile. The Promenade Deck is a very popular spot for people to walk and gets very busy. So we opt for the jogging track and go around in small circles to get our exercise in. Most people catch on fairly quick that jogging track etiquette is: one goes counter-clockwise around the track and keeps to the right except to pass! BUT there's always a couple that make it interesting and difficult to get the laps in. Today it was a German couple who walked slow and took up the entire width of the track. They would meander all over and you never knew which side to pass them on. I asked them at one point what side they would like me to pass them on but got no response. Our new friend Ann who walks every morning finally said to them, "If you walk on the right, you won't get run over". The German guy snapped back at her, "You walk on the right!". (She was!) Perhaps they thought they were in the right....do they drive on the left-hand side in Germany? Maybe that's why they kept toward the left. Oh well, interacting with people makes interesting days here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Tonight we will celebrate Terry's birthday by going for dinner in the Sterling Steakhouse. Went there on our last cruise and the service/food was amazing!! Lisa e-mailed us a video of Enzo today in honor of Grandpa's birthday. Seeing that little guy made our day!

Signing off from the middle of the Pacific!