New England & Canada BearCruise meet & greet

Next weekend, we embark on the New England & Canada BearCruise:

and Bob and I hosted a meet and greet for the Raleigh guys going on the trip.

(from l-r): Bob, Steve, Chad, Ben, Al, John, Brent, Ken, & Cronin. We also invited our neighbors Jeff & Brian (not pictured) who are considering a future BearCruise.

Bob decorated the walls for the event!

Brent bought everyone a door magnet that says, “Warning. We bought the drink package,” and Bob and I bought a bear paw with our names on it — before we learned that NCL doesn’t allow door decorations per item 36.

Long-time friends:

And the meet and greet hosts (yours trulies):

I wish my eyes squinted even more when I smile or laugh. NOT.

The potluck food:

Food included: 7-layer taco dip w/Tostito Scoops, pasta salad, chicken wings, ham-delight sandwiches, deviled eggs, castrated church brownies (no nuts & no weed), and chocolate chip walnut cookies.

Complete, but important aside: See that little line of tinfoil toward the front end of the taco dip? The portion closest to the camera is for me. It’s actually a 6-layer taco salad that Bob makes for me, because I don’t like beans! (Can you say, “Princess?” I know I’m spoiled!)

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The open bar flowed and after dinner, all of us sat out on our deck to continue our cocktails and conversations while enjoying the beautiful weather.