Wednesday - February 27, 2013

WE'RE  BACK!!!!

Site 119, Collier Seminole State Park, Tamiami Trail, Naples, Florida

We just arrived at Collier Seminole State Park near Naples, Florida.  We are still technically in or near the Everglades/Big Cypress Area along the Tamiami Trail, but we are now connected to the rest of world.  Not so sure if that is a good thing or not!?!?!?  We actually got used to no cell phone, no internet and no TV.  But it will be nice to get back in touch.

We will be here for 5 days, then on to Lazydays for Warranty and Maintenance work for a couple weeks.  During this time, we will attempt to get a little caught up on the blog.  We had so many wonderful adventures to record and share... IT WAS AMAZING!!!

Nancy here:  I saw and learned many things while I was in the Everglades/Big Cypress and can't wait to share our experience with you.  But one thing I learned and a lesson I hope will stay with me is...  Less Computer Time Is A Good Thing:o))  I know I want a record of where we go, what we see and times we share with friends so we will continue to blog.  However, it will not be current.  It will be done when I am not taking new photos and enjoying new experiences... It will be done when I have the time:o))

We will still update our current location so at least friends and family will know where we are located.  So check our blog and our location will be current in the photos in the upper right corner.  The actual blog post might be from days, weeks or months prior. We have learned....

It's  All  About  The  Journey!!!!

Still Without Internet - Thursday - February 21, 2013

This will be short and sweet.  We left Flamingo Campground in the heart of the Everglades this morning.  We got a site at Midway Campground on Rt 41, the Tamiami Trial for the next 6 nights and then we will be going to Collier Seminole Campground until March 4th.  Neither of these location have internet or cell service, so we will be out of touch until Monday, March 4th.

We are having a great time and have much to report when we get connected.  Right now, we are in the Library at Everglades City which is about 30 miles from our campsite.

Well be back in touch in about 11 days... see you then!!!

Heading to The Everglades:o)) - February 8-22, 2013

Today, we are leaving Jonathan Dickenson State Park in Hobe Sound Florida and heading south to Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park.  We have wanted to stay in the Eastern Everglades for some time, but we were hesitant to come as they did not accept reservations.  Well, that has changed and we have reserved 2 weeks in the electric only loop:o))

We will be off the grid for these two weeks.  Perhaps we will get the blog updated during that time.  More realistically, we will just get further behind.  That's a good thing, because that means we are busy having fun adventures!!  No Paul, we are not out hunting Burmese Python;o))

We will be without Internet or cell phone.  We'll post when we return to civilization;o)))

EPCOT Day–Saturday–January 26, 2013

 

Just in case you did not know what EPCOT stands for, here it is!!

 

Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow

 

But REALLY,  it’s just a FUN place;o))

 

We spent the entire day here, from opening to closing fireworks!!

 

So here we go . . .

 

We arrived at EPCOT by monorail and took a spin around Space Station Earth.

 

 

As we entered the park, a nice man there was teaching us how to SMAWN.

A SMAWN is a combination Smile and Yawn;o))

 

 

We attempted to get a photo of the girls holding up the Space Station.

I believe we need a little work on technique;o))

 

 

First stop…a ride through Space Station Earth!!

 

 

 

 

Next, I was sent to get fast passes for Soaring and the gang headed over to The Sea.

  

 

WOOOO HOOOO… got the fast passes!!!

 

We spent the next couple of hours exploring The Sea.  First, we visited the manatee exhibit.  Next, we did Turtle Talk With Crush, an adorable audience participation show about Sea Turtles.  The rest of time, we enjoyed the HUGE aquarium!!!

 

 

 

From The Sea, we head to The Land.

First stop, the environmental movie with the characters from The Lion King. 

After that, we had a little time until our fast passes could be used on Soaring,

so we had our lunch in the cafeteria down stairs.

 

 

 

 

Then it was on to Soaring:o))

 

Everybody really enjoyed that ride!!!!

 

We decided to try to cut over to The Universe of Energy.

Unfortunately, it was shut down for repair;o((

Oh well, we’ll just head out to The World Showcase!!

 

 

Yep… Space Station Earth is always within view:o)

 

 

 

First stop Canada and it’s beautiful gardens and movie!!

 

 

 

On to jolly old England,

 

 

 

Next…. street performers in France!

 

 

The Ceremonial Drummers performed at Japan.

 

 

 

Space Station Earth can be seen from EVERYWHERE!!!

 

 

 

The Ultimate Disney Pin Collector!!

His entire vest, front and back, is covered with pins.The pins average about $10 – that’s one expensive vest;o))

 

 

We timed it just right at the American Pavilion to see the Fife and Drum Corp

before we went inside to hear the singers perform and watch the movie.

 

 

It was getting close to dinner time when we came out.  Bruce and Laura headed back to the campground to take care of their dog, Clem and get some dinner.  The rest of us got our dinner in the park while they were gone.  Nancy and Tricia headed to China and the rest of us enjoyed good old American Fare:o))

 

 

We all met up again at China where we watched the powerful movie

and

enjoyed the Chinese Acrobats.

   

 

 

 

After China, we continued on towards Norway and Spain.

They were both very crowded.

 

 

Rather than fight the crowds, we headed to the Mars Explorer ride we missed earlier.

 

 

When we came out, the sun was setting behind the Eiffel Tower!!

 

 

 

Time to make our way back to the countries

to find the perfect viewing spot for the fireworks.

 

Nancy’s not sure what happened to the fireworks pictures?!?!

 

You’ll just have to trust us that they were...

 

A  SPECTACULAR  ENDING  to  A  WONDERFUL  DAY!!!

A Long Trip for ICE CREAM!!!–Friday–January 25, 2013

Every time Nancy and I come to Disney World,
we go to Beaches and Cream for Ice Cream!!

 

It didn’t take much to convince everyone to join us;o))

 

We usually head to Beaches and Cream when we visit Epcot. You can walk there from the Epcot exit located between England and France. Since we were only spending one day at Epcot this trip, we decided not to take a couple ‘Epcot’ hours to go get ice cream.  We would go today and stop at Downtown Disney on the way!! A nice easy day;o))

 

After lunch, we got the bus at the Outpost for Downtown Disney.

 

We visited the largest Disney Store!!

 

 

We played around a little!!

 

(click on any photo to enlarge)

 

 

The guys enjoyed the Legos and Tinker toys!!

   

 

 

Who doesn’t enjoy a Princess Parade?!?!
 

Notice the special Princess waves and the bubbles;o))

 

After exploring Downtown Disney, we headed to the bus stop.

 

Just needed to take the bus to the Beach Club!!

Sounds easy…doesn’t it;o))

 

First, we wait at least 30 minutes for the bus
and then, we stopped at

Typhoon Lagoon,

The Boardwalk,

The Dolphin,

The Swan,

&

The Yacht Club

BEFORE

we finally arrived at The Beach Club;o((

An hour and a half later, we were headed down the walkway to Beaches and Cream!!

 

We promptly ordered Sundays or Banana Splits.

 

Bruce got his ice cream first...
along with a Song and a Birthday Balloon:o))

 

 

Of course, the Pelicans had to have Fries with their Ice Cream?!?!?

Everybody cleaned their plates!!!!

 

 

Remember that Birthday Balloon????

 

Bruce asked Gin to hold his SPECIAL balloon while he visit the rest room.

 

WELLLLLL…she watched it, but didn’t see the ceiling fan!!

 

OOOPS;o(((

You see how disappointed Bruce was;o))

 

But she couldn’t let the Birthday Boy walk around Balloonless…SOOOOOOO!!

Now he had three balloons ;o))

 

We headed back to the bus area and decided to take a direct bus to the Magic Kingdom instead of the long and tedious route that got us here;o(  Once we got to the Magic Kingdom, we could catch the boat directly to the campground.

 

Notice anything different about Bruce’s Balloons?!?!

Yep, another busted balloon!!!

 

 

Bruce decided it was time to “Pay It Forward.”

 

He shared his balloons with the next Birthday Button person he saw;o))

 

We got to the Magic Kingdom without a hitch. 

 

However, getting on the boat was a different story.

The boats were packed like sardines and we chose not to be one of them.

 

Instead we took the monorail to the Contemporary Resort!!

 

We walked down to the Resort boat launch and passed Mickey on the way:o))

 

Finally, we got on a boat back to the campground!!!!

 

Not sure you can tell, but the sun has just about set on this adventure.

 

 

We started just after lunch and about 6 hours later we found our way home.

What an adventure for ICE CREAM!!

 

However, the day was not over.

We decided that since we were at the beach,

we might as well stay to see the 8pm Magic Kingdom fireworks :o))

 

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

However, we weren’t finished yet…there is a 10pm Boat Parade!!

 

Everybody pull up a chair;o))

 

 

Break out the SNACKS!!!

Yes, there was one box of SPICED WAFERS left from the Carolina Clan gathering;o)))

 

 

During the long wait until the boat parade arrived,

we were entertained by our own GROOVY dancers!!

  

Come On Everybody and Do The LO-CO-MO-TION!!!!

Not sure which was better,

our GROOVY dancers or the Boat Parade?!?!

 

 

 

See what can happen when you just decide to get some ICE CREAM:o)))