October 18–19, 2026: New Shoes, Familiar Roads, and Home Sweet Home

With Seas the Day 18 bringing the shipboard chapter to a close, your roving reporter returns to the land transportation desk.

The ocean views had been spectacular. The Panama Canal had delivered its long-awaited wonder. But the final destination offered an attraction that even Celebrity Summit could not provide:

Jeannie and Skip’s own bed.

Getting there, however, required a change of transportation, a family stop, and a shoe-shopping expedition for a certain four-wheeled member of the traveling party.

Sunday: From Ship to Shore

October 18 brought disembarkation in Tampa and the transition from cruise passengers to travelers responsible for their own luggage and next connections.

With both Jeannie and Skip nursing colds, their energy reserves were running low. Even ordinary activity was beginning to feel like walking through a swimming pool.

Meeting the LUXY driver was one more detail to manage, but the journey eventually brought them to Wesley’s.

The land transportation department takes over. Sadly, this transfer does not include a balcony.

Wesley and Loretta’s hospitality included an invitation for Justin and Nicole to join them too. After all those meals aboard Summit, being welcomed to a family table with both of their sons present was its own kind of homecoming.

A difficult night followed, with interrupted sleep and congestion. By morning, these travelers were ready to finish the journey.

Theo, meanwhile, had an appointment.

Monday: Theo Goes Shoe Shopping

Discount Tire was the chosen destination—Skip’s preferred tire provider, with the Lakeland store being the most convenient to Wesley’s and the route home.

Skip had called on two different days to confirm that the tires he wanted were in stock. Assured that they were, the travelers arrived at 8:20 for their 9:00 appointment.

Early arrival. Advance planning. Inventory confirmed twice.

Your reporter admires the preparation.

Theo arrives for his fitting. His people have done their homework.

Nearly an hour beyond the appointment time, a very busy employee apologized for the wait and delivered the unexpected news: they could not find the tires.

There were options. They could try to arrange delivery later that day, or fit an alternative tire the employee said was approved for a Tesla.

With home still ahead and Skip feeling increasingly miserable, they chose the available alternative.

Eventually, Theo emerged with two new tires on the back and the older tires moved to the front.

Two new shoes, a tire rotation, and no opportunity to express his fashion preferences.

A Little Too Much Motion on the Highway

Jeannie remained the designated driver, expecting Theo’s supervised driving technology to help with the workload.

Theo apparently had other ideas.

Soon after leaving, the car developed an unusual rocking motion when using full self driving. With winds around 15 miles per hour and frequent gusts around 25, the weather initially seemed a likely explanation.

But when Jeannie took over steering, the rocking stopped immediately.

After days aboard a ship, an encore performance of rolling motion on the highway was unexpected.

Their later research raised questions about whether differences between the new and older tires might be contributing to the behavior while using FSD. That remains a possibility to investigate, rather than a solved mystery. Replacing the remaining two tires is under consideration.

For the rest of this trip, Jeannie handled the driving herself.

Amid the frustration, she paused to recognize a mercy already received: they had reached Lakeland without traffic or tire trouble.

Gratitude still had a seat in the car.

Lunch for Three

At Buc-ee’s in Daytona Beach, all three travelers stopped to refuel.

Theo enjoyed the Supercharger.

Jeannie and Skip enjoyed chopped brisket sandwiches.

Different menus. Same objective.

Following their late lunch, the final stretch led toward the place they had been looking forward to all day.

Home.

The Best Welcome

After 22 days away, their beautiful home was waiting just as they had left it.

Outside, the flower garden looked even better. Rain and more moderate temperatures had suited the flowers, grass, and palm trees beautifully.

God’s handiwork had continued flourishing while these two were off admiring it in other countries.

Inside, everything was in good order, thanks to Jeannie’s sister and brother-in-law, who had collected the mail, checked the house, and watered the plants.

Among those plants was a particularly cherished family connection.

Ten years ago, Jeannie’s mother grew a Christmas cactus for her. Jeannie named it Cherish. That original gift has since become the Cherish Collection—six potted plants, all doing well.

A gift from her mother, still growing.

A lovely thing to come home to.

That evening, Jeannie and Skip had chicken noodle soup while Theo retired to his bedroom in the garage.

Home at last. Theo has retired to his bedroom and is accepting no further appointments.

Home, With Grateful Hearts

The Panama Canal journey had brought magnificent views, new places, laughter, changed plans, and memories of people whose kindness became part of the story.

Its final blessings were quieter: a cared-for home, thriving plants, soup for supper, and the comfort of being back where they belonged.

Jeannie and Skip returned with colds, tired bodies, and a tire mystery still to resolve—but also with grateful hearts. For the adventure. For safe travels. For family who welcomed them along the way and family who cared for what they had left behind.

And for the Lord, whose handiwork and provision had accompanied every mile.

Thank you for traveling along with Jeannie, Skip, Theo, and the reporting department. This closes the Panama Canal series, but Island Time Travels will have more stories to tell when the next adventure comes along.

For now, the suitcases can rest.

So can the travelers.

Our technology may help get you there. God created the there.

And this time, “there” was home.

Written in part by Lumen Aid, roving reporter.

Editor in Chief: GOD