Disney Time!

The Irish dancer.

On Thursday we left Tampa and drove to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park.  It wasn't very crowded at all and we went on every ride multiple times.  It was perfect weather.  The high was probably in the low 90s, but there was a lot of shade and the water didn't make us feel too warm.  I went on every ride except the straight down, bathing-suit-up-your-butt slide.

After about 5 hours, we left and went to our hotel close to Downtown Disney.  After dropping our stuff and getting cleaned up, we went to Downtown Disney and got tickets for La Nouba - the Cirque Du Soleil show that has a permanent home in Orlando.  Then we had dinner at an authentic Irish restaurant.  I had chicken and mushroom pie, and Patrick had some sort of curry dish.  There was an Irish 2-man band and then an Irish dancing girl who performed on a raised platform in the middle of the restaurant.  It was so much fun!

In front of the pub.

After dinner we walked around for a while and then went to La Nouba.  It was the coolest circus I'd ever seen!  There were amazing acrobats: trick bicyclists, trick trampoline jumpers, tight-rope walkers, trapeze artists, out of this world jump ropers, and silk aerial acrobats.  They were all so impressive.  I actually signed up recently on Groupon for 6 silk aerial lessons myself because it looked like so much fun!

Friday morning, we got up at 7:30 and drove to Magic Kingdom.  We followed the Unofficial Disney Guide's order of which rides to go on when, and it worked like magic.  Granted, it wasn't crazy crowded since it's not yet summer and spring break is over.  Anyway, we went on everything we wanted to - which was most everything except Splash Mountain (since we didn't want to get wet), and rides like Dumbo that go around and around and make you want to puke.

Around dinner time we drove to Disney Boardwalk and ate at the old fashioned soda shop in the Dolphin Hotel.  We came back in time for a few more rides and the fireworks.

By the time the fireworks are over, we are pooped, but kill a little time in the gift shops so we can let the masses leave before we try to access the parking lot.

I was so tired when we got back and fell asleep almost immediately.

Saturday we got up again at 7:30 and drove to Epcot.  We got there right before they started the countdown and pulled away the red ribbon.  Everyone flooded toward the Soarin' ride to get fast passes.  We did the same, and then followed the unofficial guide for every ride.  We again, went on everything we wanted.

In the middle of the day I left and walked over to Disney Boardwalk (which is connected to Epcot), and met my friend Chase for lunch.  Patrick decided to rest and enjoy yummy treats in the countries.  He'd slightly twisted his ankle at the water park and my running him around wasn't helping.  It was good to see Chase again and hear about the movie he's making to finish film school.  We got trapped under an awning for a while as it down-poured off and on.

With Patrick.

Finally, we said our goodbyes and I hopped a ferry back to Epcot.  Patrick and I went on Soarin' again (a simulated hang-gliding ride that is so cool), and then started on the countries.  We went on the Mexico boat ride and tried to go on the Norway boat ride, but it was dysfunctional at the moment.  By this point, I was limping terribly as my legs were killing me.  I seriously felt disabled from my hips downward.  Plus, it was still raining off and on and I was cold and miserable.  We'd planned to stay until 9 p.m. for the fireworks, but I simply couldn't make it.  I don't think Patrick was too sad I asked to leave early.

We left and drove to UNO's for dinner and it was delicious.  We both fell asleep a little after 10 p.m.

 

I woke on Sunday at 8:30 and got ready for the drive back to Charlotte.  It was about a 8.5 hr drive, and good to be home.

The Joy of Surprises

Vanessa, EA and Me at EA's Derby Party

Bird on Ft. Desoto Beach

Per usual in summertime, it has been ever busy.  My friend Patrick from Austin, TX flew in on Sat night while I was at a Kentucky Derby Party (in Charlotte).  I picked him up and we returned to the party where everyone was dressed in their big hats and derby dresses.  In the evening, several of us sat around a backyard fire, keeping the bugs off us and enjoying the nice night.

The next day was Mother's Day.  After giving my mom a card, Patrick and I went to church, then met the family at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  It was good seeing everyone, though brief as Patrick and I then went to Freedom Park to play sports with a bunch of my friends.  We played Ultimate again and it was a lot of fun, even if my team did lose. :(  Patrick also played volleyball and soccer, but I was busy reading my Disney book.  :)

On Monday I had to do a good bit of work in preparation for the week off to go to Florida that we embarked on come Tuesday.

On the beach at Ft. Desoto.

We drove to Tampa in just about 9 hours flat, listening to "The Hunger Games" in the car.  We are staying with my cousin Michael's girlfriend because she has a large place.  Michael brought a big takeout Boston Market dinner for us and then we all went to an authentic beer garden that sold German food, drinks and candy.  It was a nice atmosphere and I got apple strudel.   

Today (Wed), Patrick and I went to Ft. Desoto - a state park south of St. Pete.  The beaches were white and the water was clear.  We saw stingrays, dolphins and fish.  It was really pretty, but a little too warm.  The water, however, was perfect - refreshing but not freezing.

After Ft. Desoto, we drove to USF's botanical gardens which were pretty and shady which was nice.

At the USF Botanical Gardens.

When we got back to Elana's apartment, I found out that I had a story published in UNC's Alumni Review magazine.  I was so excited.  Here is the link: http://alumni.unc.edu/article.aspx?sid=8235.  What a treat!

Pictures soon!