Benny & Boo came to visit in Florida! A much needed visit, even if only 6 days. It was nice to have a kid to play and swim with even though we love to play fight and sometimes real fight! LOL We had our moments but all in all I'm glad they came.
We spent a day swimming ...like 4.5 hours in pool..and then went to the super-cool Disney Quest! We designed our own roller coaster and got to go on it "virtually". Benny almost got RV stuck on the beach at Daytona and we drove way too much. New Years, fogged in, wasn't fun other than Italian dinner in Pensacola, FL but then we headed to New Orleans to do cool things. We took a walking ghost/history tour of the French Quarter and saw Johnny Depp's very haunted mansion and Brad/Angelina's Yellow Fever Morgue Love Nest and heard great ghost stories. Went to the Cafe du Monde for warm sugary beignets that are fried dough and boy did Boo love those!!! Mom whipped up some homemade raspberry puree and we had good eatin! New Orleans had interesting above-ground cemeteries but we found we weren't really as interested in death and Voo Doo especially after a nice man from NO talked with us about it and the fact NO is a big town known for murders. Voo Doo is very negative and full of revenge and mean things so we decided to skip the Voo Doo Museum and just walked the city. It was fun but way too short of a visit. We wish people were joining us here at Gulf Islands National Seashore! The white sugar sand beaches and bike paths and crystal clear water. It is gorgeous! I swam in the cold water and kept sharp eye for sharks, stingrays and jellyfish. I didn't see any.
We did meet two families doing cross country RV home school too...so that makes 8 families we've met so far.
Mom and I are heading to Fort Pickens ranger talk and junior ranger program tomorrow and lunch at Peg Leg Pete's about 5 mile bike ride away on spit. We love it here. We may never leave.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Highlights and Insights
Everyone asks us the same question. What's been your favorite place?
Jack: Anyone who knows me well knows I hate making decisions like that so we will tell you our highlights instead. We picked places we wish we could have shown particular people.
Mom & Jack: Near impossible to choose because they are apples, oranges, kumquats and persimmons. One thing we have decided is you cannot compare things of this magnitude: places, music and art. Putting the Mona Lisa next to Monet next to Van Gogh there isn't a clear winning artist anymore than pitting Mumford against Alexi Murdoch next to Snow Patrol creates a "best" artist. (Mumford will always win anyway in any contest with us we all know :-) So, pitting place against place isn't possible. The weather the day we come, the people we encounter that day, the crowd level or even our attitude about what we are seeing plays a part in our experience there. Field of Dreams was hard to beat emotionally for the impact it had on us but at the end of the day it's a ball field in a corn field so it's no architectural wonder or cultural mecca. We can certainly give you a mood, impression or a review of what we came away with. We do know that if we come back it will be different than the first time and if we had friends and family our experiences would have been different too. So many of these we wish we could share with certain people who would find joys and treasures in particular.
Field of Dreams and Spook Cave in Iowa for the feelings we had when we visited. The Crockers would have adored our day there. We wished Rob/Dad could have come with to have a catch and he would have loved the cave. Pilot, Diver...Dad likes extreme places but has a sentimental side and we know he loves movies and stories, cool places like we do.
Fort Washington in Virginia for great colorful afternoon in sun by the water Boo would have liked for exploring. It was a great day we would have liked her to share with us.
Yellowstone, Craters of the Moon, Gulf Island Seashore for most drastic differences in landscape like you are in a moonscape or another planet. Tori would like the mashed potato looking sand and swimming. Nephews Rian and cousin JK..we wanted you to be there to see these places as I knew you would marvel at steaming geysers and rainbow pools but also enjoying the utter peace and calm, beauty and feel of this natural and extreme place. Rugged but gentle, with a vein of music running through it almost you could hear if you were quiet and nephew DJ would have so much to draw. To see such drastically different landscapes changes your view of the world.
Marceline, MO for getting to know a man our family admires so much for teaching people to follow their ideas and dreams and never forget to play and be silly. Manny, Grandma Phyllis, Aunt Pam would have liked this and the women volunteers there who were a hoot. The little diner on main street where they could sop up gravy with a cheap good lunch and a walk through time to simpler living seemed ideal for them.
Central Park and NYC for going somewhere so big and famous and finding our place in it. Jack didn't want to go because he thought he'd hate it and we were all intimidated a little but we found people so friendly and a buzz we liked in it's vibe and it was so big you were forced to find pieces that were tailored to your interest and we think Kendra & Crew and Stephine would get the most texture of this place and enjoyed the little things from subway rides to surprises around the corners.
Museum of Natural History and Georgia Aquarium were overwhelming in it's nature and science and we wish Jimmy and Aunt Judi could have been there as they are struck by wonder of the natural world and the amazing creatures in it. They would love it and it would have been fun to see their faces and excitement in giant turtles and whale sharks. Aubrey would love the dolphins. Josh and Kat would love the Aquarium and Gulf Seashore...there's sharks in these waters and they love them and sandy shores with crystal waters. We think of you at sunset.
Battlefields, Forts where you can feel the ghosts of the men who died for our freedoms where you simply feel more patriotic for just honoring the sacrifice with your interest and can smell the gunpowder still...Uncle Jim would have been fun to see it with as he likes muzzle loaders and history. We thought of you every time we came to one. Friend, Audun, would be the ideal friend to explore these with as he appreciates history, battles and adventure.
New Orleans had a feel we mostly attributed to nephew Ben and KaylaJo and friends Stephine/Kalah. There is a balance of energy and music, history and interesting tales in this walking city where they would love the tales and facts and oddities while wandering the streets exchanging with openly friendly people in a party atmosphere.
France & World Center in Epcot at Disney World: Nonny would have been fun to go here with and Benny who wants to see Norway. Aunt Barb/Hunter Dan would have enjoyed a less crowded "world" to explore and appreciated the good foods and far away places without the long, tiring travel. You can see the world walking around in a day. Tori loved it. Barb would have liked Soarin over California ride and Dan the Fast Track car ride too!
Niagara Falls...Canadian Side. In a word...AMAZING. Gretel, our Canadian friend we wished you were there along with the Rosenbaums who would love the view.
There are certainly places we were glad we were the only ones there because places feel different when they are quiet and you are in a reflective mood where the solitude enhances the experience. The empty beaches here at the Gulf of Mexico are a welcome respite and have sat well with us because you can relax staring at the water and find your thoughts that being busy on the road doesn't afford you. At times it's a trip of seeing places fly by the windows and you know you are missing great small towns and big cities filled with things we aren't getting to do. Choices. They are tough. We know we didn't get to know West Virginia or enough of Rhode Island/Conneticut but we can't do it all so it leaves room for more trips and adventures.
Life on road the way we are doing it is certainly filled with days of frustration at delays, broken parts, logistic problems for parking, camping, dumping and your vision gets flip-flopped from minute details of where to turn, get drinking water to how to approach a major city with narrow streets in a 30 foot behemoth. It's hard, we won't lie. Being alone, away from home, under-experienced with systems and places is tough...but people always ask if it's still fun and worth it? The answer is still...very much, yes. But there's an impression people get that it's a luxury of time and relaxation finding zen at every stop. Nope. We struggle and take each town, each day as it comes. Some good,some bad. We have grown stronger for sure. "Baby Steps" as Uncle Dan quips quoting Bill Murray in "What About Bob"...there are days like that where we have a tough time getting from the grocery store to the next hook-up spot in a new town. We grip the wheel, look at eachother, put on Mumford to ground ourselves, take a deep breath and plunge ahead trying to be brave and find grace in moments when we freak out or encounter scary things. We do... sketchy Walmart parking lots where we sleep with one eye open all night, places we almost get stuck to towns we don't realize are "hives of scum and villany". We remain as flexible as the first week when we learned weather drove our agenda. Gas may be $3.12 a gallon here but we plot our route carefully to maximize every dollar and getting creative with meals has been a game. Sure, granola yogurt and a bag of green beans is a dinner when you throw a piece of chopped up bacon it!
The days we aren't sure or feel weak or weary seem to still be the days we encounter strangers telling us we are on the right track. We turn to music for perspective and inspiration and inflate our bravery. We have learned to accept the signs and signals from the universe, road and keep on keepin' on. Some days are for deep reflection, some for processing and learning, some for crazy adventure, others are for connecting and we have even spent a couple doing absolutely nothing but reading and sleeping. It's a new year and while our was not a happy new year's eve in a foggy, noisy parking lot we know for sure that if you drive a few miles down the road there is another view and another day ahead to be found. You might be clearer or more graceful there. It might just have white sugar sand beaches with stunning sunsets and a chance to exhale and regroup but you won't know until you grip the wheel, take a deep breath and get going to new places.
Jack: Anyone who knows me well knows I hate making decisions like that so we will tell you our highlights instead. We picked places we wish we could have shown particular people.
Mom & Jack: Near impossible to choose because they are apples, oranges, kumquats and persimmons. One thing we have decided is you cannot compare things of this magnitude: places, music and art. Putting the Mona Lisa next to Monet next to Van Gogh there isn't a clear winning artist anymore than pitting Mumford against Alexi Murdoch next to Snow Patrol creates a "best" artist. (Mumford will always win anyway in any contest with us we all know :-) So, pitting place against place isn't possible. The weather the day we come, the people we encounter that day, the crowd level or even our attitude about what we are seeing plays a part in our experience there. Field of Dreams was hard to beat emotionally for the impact it had on us but at the end of the day it's a ball field in a corn field so it's no architectural wonder or cultural mecca. We can certainly give you a mood, impression or a review of what we came away with. We do know that if we come back it will be different than the first time and if we had friends and family our experiences would have been different too. So many of these we wish we could share with certain people who would find joys and treasures in particular.
Field of Dreams and Spook Cave in Iowa for the feelings we had when we visited. The Crockers would have adored our day there. We wished Rob/Dad could have come with to have a catch and he would have loved the cave. Pilot, Diver...Dad likes extreme places but has a sentimental side and we know he loves movies and stories, cool places like we do.
Fort Washington in Virginia for great colorful afternoon in sun by the water Boo would have liked for exploring. It was a great day we would have liked her to share with us.
Yellowstone, Craters of the Moon, Gulf Island Seashore for most drastic differences in landscape like you are in a moonscape or another planet. Tori would like the mashed potato looking sand and swimming. Nephews Rian and cousin JK..we wanted you to be there to see these places as I knew you would marvel at steaming geysers and rainbow pools but also enjoying the utter peace and calm, beauty and feel of this natural and extreme place. Rugged but gentle, with a vein of music running through it almost you could hear if you were quiet and nephew DJ would have so much to draw. To see such drastically different landscapes changes your view of the world.
Marceline, MO for getting to know a man our family admires so much for teaching people to follow their ideas and dreams and never forget to play and be silly. Manny, Grandma Phyllis, Aunt Pam would have liked this and the women volunteers there who were a hoot. The little diner on main street where they could sop up gravy with a cheap good lunch and a walk through time to simpler living seemed ideal for them.
Central Park and NYC for going somewhere so big and famous and finding our place in it. Jack didn't want to go because he thought he'd hate it and we were all intimidated a little but we found people so friendly and a buzz we liked in it's vibe and it was so big you were forced to find pieces that were tailored to your interest and we think Kendra & Crew and Stephine would get the most texture of this place and enjoyed the little things from subway rides to surprises around the corners.
Museum of Natural History and Georgia Aquarium were overwhelming in it's nature and science and we wish Jimmy and Aunt Judi could have been there as they are struck by wonder of the natural world and the amazing creatures in it. They would love it and it would have been fun to see their faces and excitement in giant turtles and whale sharks. Aubrey would love the dolphins. Josh and Kat would love the Aquarium and Gulf Seashore...there's sharks in these waters and they love them and sandy shores with crystal waters. We think of you at sunset.
Battlefields, Forts where you can feel the ghosts of the men who died for our freedoms where you simply feel more patriotic for just honoring the sacrifice with your interest and can smell the gunpowder still...Uncle Jim would have been fun to see it with as he likes muzzle loaders and history. We thought of you every time we came to one. Friend, Audun, would be the ideal friend to explore these with as he appreciates history, battles and adventure.
New Orleans had a feel we mostly attributed to nephew Ben and KaylaJo and friends Stephine/Kalah. There is a balance of energy and music, history and interesting tales in this walking city where they would love the tales and facts and oddities while wandering the streets exchanging with openly friendly people in a party atmosphere.
France & World Center in Epcot at Disney World: Nonny would have been fun to go here with and Benny who wants to see Norway. Aunt Barb/Hunter Dan would have enjoyed a less crowded "world" to explore and appreciated the good foods and far away places without the long, tiring travel. You can see the world walking around in a day. Tori loved it. Barb would have liked Soarin over California ride and Dan the Fast Track car ride too!
Niagara Falls...Canadian Side. In a word...AMAZING. Gretel, our Canadian friend we wished you were there along with the Rosenbaums who would love the view.
There are certainly places we were glad we were the only ones there because places feel different when they are quiet and you are in a reflective mood where the solitude enhances the experience. The empty beaches here at the Gulf of Mexico are a welcome respite and have sat well with us because you can relax staring at the water and find your thoughts that being busy on the road doesn't afford you. At times it's a trip of seeing places fly by the windows and you know you are missing great small towns and big cities filled with things we aren't getting to do. Choices. They are tough. We know we didn't get to know West Virginia or enough of Rhode Island/Conneticut but we can't do it all so it leaves room for more trips and adventures.
Life on road the way we are doing it is certainly filled with days of frustration at delays, broken parts, logistic problems for parking, camping, dumping and your vision gets flip-flopped from minute details of where to turn, get drinking water to how to approach a major city with narrow streets in a 30 foot behemoth. It's hard, we won't lie. Being alone, away from home, under-experienced with systems and places is tough...but people always ask if it's still fun and worth it? The answer is still...very much, yes. But there's an impression people get that it's a luxury of time and relaxation finding zen at every stop. Nope. We struggle and take each town, each day as it comes. Some good,some bad. We have grown stronger for sure. "Baby Steps" as Uncle Dan quips quoting Bill Murray in "What About Bob"...there are days like that where we have a tough time getting from the grocery store to the next hook-up spot in a new town. We grip the wheel, look at eachother, put on Mumford to ground ourselves, take a deep breath and plunge ahead trying to be brave and find grace in moments when we freak out or encounter scary things. We do... sketchy Walmart parking lots where we sleep with one eye open all night, places we almost get stuck to towns we don't realize are "hives of scum and villany". We remain as flexible as the first week when we learned weather drove our agenda. Gas may be $3.12 a gallon here but we plot our route carefully to maximize every dollar and getting creative with meals has been a game. Sure, granola yogurt and a bag of green beans is a dinner when you throw a piece of chopped up bacon it!
The days we aren't sure or feel weak or weary seem to still be the days we encounter strangers telling us we are on the right track. We turn to music for perspective and inspiration and inflate our bravery. We have learned to accept the signs and signals from the universe, road and keep on keepin' on. Some days are for deep reflection, some for processing and learning, some for crazy adventure, others are for connecting and we have even spent a couple doing absolutely nothing but reading and sleeping. It's a new year and while our was not a happy new year's eve in a foggy, noisy parking lot we know for sure that if you drive a few miles down the road there is another view and another day ahead to be found. You might be clearer or more graceful there. It might just have white sugar sand beaches with stunning sunsets and a chance to exhale and regroup but you won't know until you grip the wheel, take a deep breath and get going to new places.
Disney World
Today's blog is written jointly because we are lazy:
Disney World was fun because we got to share it with Dad, Tori, Uncle Dan, Aunt Cathy and cousins Colman and Aubrey. We will also get to see Downtown Disney with Benny and Boo. Disney is best shared with friends and family. It is bigger and more crowded and spaced out. But, there are things that are more fun than Disneyland like Animal Kingdom and Epcot but overall Disneyland is much more magical and our favorite. Tori came for her 11th birthday so she got free shakes, funnel cakes and it was fun celebrating with her. She is a good pin trader and gets into it like us. So it's fun to share. Colman and Aubrey have become good pin traders too and we all found some great pins!! Two most common we found ...cheshire cat and Jiminy Cricket.
We spent the biggest chunk of our time at Epcot traveling the world at their world showcase. There you can visit countries like Norway, Mexico, Morocco, Italy, Germany, Japan, China, France, UK, Canada. We watched the films about the country, ate the food, listened to the music, saw their Santa and how they celebrate Christmas and talked with people from there. We loved France! We also enjoyed the UK a lot with the band Off-Kilter and the players comedy group on the streets. We may have started a new idea in our heads that maybe we should take this Road Trip to International places next year.
Animal Kingdom is our favorite park in the group of parks here. It's got a special place in our heart because it's the park that our little Jimmy got lost in, shutting down the park when he was only five! It's broken into tow parts: Africa and Asia. Africa as Lion King and a Safari trip as well as river rapids. Asia has Mt. Everest, Birds of Prey show and Nemo musical production. We liked this park because one of the two days we spent there it MONSOON rained! We saw that park empty so fast and we stayed and braved it riding Mt. Everest over and over SEVEN times! We also decided since we were wet already we should ride the river rapids a couple times in a row because it douses you with water and we couldn't get more wet. It was still warm even with huge ankle deep puddles. The Yak & Yeti restaurant had great food and we saw active animals up close on our safari because when it's hot they just lay there. It was a perfect day in the park even through it rained.
Hollywood studios is a weird place but they added a cool Star Wars refurbishment where the ride has 50 different combinations of missions so every ride is different! Our favorite...the ice planet of Hoth. We ate at the Fifties Diner where "Mom" or Uncle George in our case seats you at a table wit an old tv playing shows like Fathers Knows Best and they nag you to keep your elbows off the table and to eat your vegetables! Very Fun place to eat!! We also saw the Indiana Jones stunt show and rode the corkscrew Rockin Rollercoaster. Our last night at D World was spent here and we saw the band Mulch, Sweat n Shears and had a blast with them. We also saw the Walt Disney movie about his life and enjoyed seeing Marceline, MO again and familiar things like the barn of his and his school desk.
The last park is the Magical kingdom which we don't feel is as magical BUT we will say this... the new castle projection show they have is astounding and technology unlike we have ever seen. Using projectors they transform the castle into a snow globe, gingerbread house, pirate castle, rocket and a scrapbook of the day and guests doing things around the park. It was a sight to see! We like the people mover that takes you inside a couple rides behind the scenes and the Comedy Floor with Monsters Inc.
The thing about Disney World is finding the out-of-the-way stuff, the things people don't really know much about in their frenzy to hit all the big rides. At Epcot we found a place called The Land. Being farmers and eco people we took the behind the scenes tour where we saw how the grow their own food and seafood for use in their restaurants. They grow food hydroponically and in small spaces very efficiently and use the fertilizer from the fish to feed the plants. It was a great tour and after we ate at the cafe the food goes to. We had the best key lime pie we have ever had! We also enjoyed the Epcot ball ride that takes you through the first 30,000 years of civilization and explains writing, literature, Renaissance and communications. Nerds..I know! We liked it.
Our feet, however, don't always like Disney World. You are walking from 9am to midnight some days and day after day your feet get sore and you get tired. So, our remedy...swimming! We sure got our exercise. We enjoyed the parks and sharing it with family and pin trading...oh and Dole Whips! We are glad to be done though as the holiday crowds just kept getting bigger and bigger. We took a break from school and historical places and nature and we are ready to get back to it. Only this time we have an emphasis on art, music, poetry/literature and nature/science. We are looking forward to the string of natural places coming up in next few months.
Drop us a line and tell us how your holidays were! We hope you are all enjoying the holidays!!
Happy Trails!
Jack n Jenn
Disney World was fun because we got to share it with Dad, Tori, Uncle Dan, Aunt Cathy and cousins Colman and Aubrey. We will also get to see Downtown Disney with Benny and Boo. Disney is best shared with friends and family. It is bigger and more crowded and spaced out. But, there are things that are more fun than Disneyland like Animal Kingdom and Epcot but overall Disneyland is much more magical and our favorite. Tori came for her 11th birthday so she got free shakes, funnel cakes and it was fun celebrating with her. She is a good pin trader and gets into it like us. So it's fun to share. Colman and Aubrey have become good pin traders too and we all found some great pins!! Two most common we found ...cheshire cat and Jiminy Cricket.
We spent the biggest chunk of our time at Epcot traveling the world at their world showcase. There you can visit countries like Norway, Mexico, Morocco, Italy, Germany, Japan, China, France, UK, Canada. We watched the films about the country, ate the food, listened to the music, saw their Santa and how they celebrate Christmas and talked with people from there. We loved France! We also enjoyed the UK a lot with the band Off-Kilter and the players comedy group on the streets. We may have started a new idea in our heads that maybe we should take this Road Trip to International places next year.
Animal Kingdom is our favorite park in the group of parks here. It's got a special place in our heart because it's the park that our little Jimmy got lost in, shutting down the park when he was only five! It's broken into tow parts: Africa and Asia. Africa as Lion King and a Safari trip as well as river rapids. Asia has Mt. Everest, Birds of Prey show and Nemo musical production. We liked this park because one of the two days we spent there it MONSOON rained! We saw that park empty so fast and we stayed and braved it riding Mt. Everest over and over SEVEN times! We also decided since we were wet already we should ride the river rapids a couple times in a row because it douses you with water and we couldn't get more wet. It was still warm even with huge ankle deep puddles. The Yak & Yeti restaurant had great food and we saw active animals up close on our safari because when it's hot they just lay there. It was a perfect day in the park even through it rained.
Hollywood studios is a weird place but they added a cool Star Wars refurbishment where the ride has 50 different combinations of missions so every ride is different! Our favorite...the ice planet of Hoth. We ate at the Fifties Diner where "Mom" or Uncle George in our case seats you at a table wit an old tv playing shows like Fathers Knows Best and they nag you to keep your elbows off the table and to eat your vegetables! Very Fun place to eat!! We also saw the Indiana Jones stunt show and rode the corkscrew Rockin Rollercoaster. Our last night at D World was spent here and we saw the band Mulch, Sweat n Shears and had a blast with them. We also saw the Walt Disney movie about his life and enjoyed seeing Marceline, MO again and familiar things like the barn of his and his school desk.
The last park is the Magical kingdom which we don't feel is as magical BUT we will say this... the new castle projection show they have is astounding and technology unlike we have ever seen. Using projectors they transform the castle into a snow globe, gingerbread house, pirate castle, rocket and a scrapbook of the day and guests doing things around the park. It was a sight to see! We like the people mover that takes you inside a couple rides behind the scenes and the Comedy Floor with Monsters Inc.
The thing about Disney World is finding the out-of-the-way stuff, the things people don't really know much about in their frenzy to hit all the big rides. At Epcot we found a place called The Land. Being farmers and eco people we took the behind the scenes tour where we saw how the grow their own food and seafood for use in their restaurants. They grow food hydroponically and in small spaces very efficiently and use the fertilizer from the fish to feed the plants. It was a great tour and after we ate at the cafe the food goes to. We had the best key lime pie we have ever had! We also enjoyed the Epcot ball ride that takes you through the first 30,000 years of civilization and explains writing, literature, Renaissance and communications. Nerds..I know! We liked it.
Our feet, however, don't always like Disney World. You are walking from 9am to midnight some days and day after day your feet get sore and you get tired. So, our remedy...swimming! We sure got our exercise. We enjoyed the parks and sharing it with family and pin trading...oh and Dole Whips! We are glad to be done though as the holiday crowds just kept getting bigger and bigger. We took a break from school and historical places and nature and we are ready to get back to it. Only this time we have an emphasis on art, music, poetry/literature and nature/science. We are looking forward to the string of natural places coming up in next few months.
Drop us a line and tell us how your holidays were! We hope you are all enjoying the holidays!!
Happy Trails!
Jack n Jenn
Florida
Let's start with the surprise that Florida is NOT a boondocking friendly place. Walmarts won't let you overnight and they want you to pay to stay so we had to adjust things. We got here and had a timeshare to use as our first non-RV break ...Mom loved the tub and washer/dryer and I liked the space and pool. We swam 2-3 hours every day some days twice a day! It was heaven!
We got to go pin trading in Disney World's four parks Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magical Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. I traded junk pins for good new ones and limited editions and had a blast meeting people and having conversations all while trading pins. You buy the pins cheap on ebay and then go throughout the park trading with employees and guests for new and better ones. It's my favorite thing to do in Disney parks and I'm good at finding them. The stroller area has a stroller covered in pins, information desks have boards- they are everywhere! Mom got me a pick holder pin for my guitar strap. They have pins that glow, move, remind you of fun things you did in the park and are a great collection. I once did a report in fourth grade about pin trading. Some people collect baseball cards, stamps or beanie babies...me? Disney pins.
It's weird being here in sunny palm tree Florida at Christmas. People have their RV's decked for the holidays with trees, lights, stocking hung and inflatable scenes. It's very festive park. We went swimming after a long bike ride on Christmas eve and Santa visited the pool and gave us a gift! We were able to attend a special guest party at Epcot too and they gave us gingerbread men, cider and an ornament for our very tiny tree (12 inches) and we found a few ornaments along the way so our RV had christmas cheer too. Manny sent us a musical mouse and when I got up Mom had a few gifts out for me like pins, donuts, Spam dice game, things from our trip and the best...the National Geographic on DVD...all issues since 1888 in one collection!!! I loved it.
My aunt and uncle and their families pitched in to get me a Martin backpacker guitar which I LOVE! It's small and easier to lug around on the trip. I can play it while sitting in front seat too. I have played it every day and plan on it every day of the trip. THANK YOU!!
We got invited to the RV park dinner today and had ham, sweet potato casserole and best cheesecakes... choc peanut butter and white choc raspberry. I tried sweet tea for the first time, the super sweet drink they all drink in the south with every meal..too sweet for me! The people were very nice but it was very quiet and not at all like holidays at home with noise and people. We miss everyone but are trying to enjoy this unique experience.
Today we just hung out and didn't do much of anything which was nice. We need to get planning our trip across the last 12 states. Big worries ...the weather! We will be trying to get a plan for after Benny & Boo leave...they join us the 28th and leave on Jan 2nd. It's been nice having people visit us and if you want to join in on part of the trip we would LOVE to have you. Arkansas Crystal Bridges art museum or diamond digging park...Grand Canyon...California... just email us and we'll find a good time for you to come along on the adventure. Until then, Happy Trails! Merry Christmas! Jack and Mom
We got to go pin trading in Disney World's four parks Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magical Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. I traded junk pins for good new ones and limited editions and had a blast meeting people and having conversations all while trading pins. You buy the pins cheap on ebay and then go throughout the park trading with employees and guests for new and better ones. It's my favorite thing to do in Disney parks and I'm good at finding them. The stroller area has a stroller covered in pins, information desks have boards- they are everywhere! Mom got me a pick holder pin for my guitar strap. They have pins that glow, move, remind you of fun things you did in the park and are a great collection. I once did a report in fourth grade about pin trading. Some people collect baseball cards, stamps or beanie babies...me? Disney pins.
It's weird being here in sunny palm tree Florida at Christmas. People have their RV's decked for the holidays with trees, lights, stocking hung and inflatable scenes. It's very festive park. We went swimming after a long bike ride on Christmas eve and Santa visited the pool and gave us a gift! We were able to attend a special guest party at Epcot too and they gave us gingerbread men, cider and an ornament for our very tiny tree (12 inches) and we found a few ornaments along the way so our RV had christmas cheer too. Manny sent us a musical mouse and when I got up Mom had a few gifts out for me like pins, donuts, Spam dice game, things from our trip and the best...the National Geographic on DVD...all issues since 1888 in one collection!!! I loved it.
My aunt and uncle and their families pitched in to get me a Martin backpacker guitar which I LOVE! It's small and easier to lug around on the trip. I can play it while sitting in front seat too. I have played it every day and plan on it every day of the trip. THANK YOU!!
We got invited to the RV park dinner today and had ham, sweet potato casserole and best cheesecakes... choc peanut butter and white choc raspberry. I tried sweet tea for the first time, the super sweet drink they all drink in the south with every meal..too sweet for me! The people were very nice but it was very quiet and not at all like holidays at home with noise and people. We miss everyone but are trying to enjoy this unique experience.
Today we just hung out and didn't do much of anything which was nice. We need to get planning our trip across the last 12 states. Big worries ...the weather! We will be trying to get a plan for after Benny & Boo leave...they join us the 28th and leave on Jan 2nd. It's been nice having people visit us and if you want to join in on part of the trip we would LOVE to have you. Arkansas Crystal Bridges art museum or diamond digging park...Grand Canyon...California... just email us and we'll find a good time for you to come along on the adventure. Until then, Happy Trails! Merry Christmas! Jack and Mom
Christmas in Florida: Palms meet the Pines!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Happy Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Happy Christmas!
From the rolling winding road
We are happy we're together
though we are so far from home
The rambling rover that's been our home
from fall to the new year
is decked from tip to top to end with a
tiny tree and christmas cheer
A quest for knowledge across the miles
state's treasures we have found
in finding grace along the way
our heart's are homeward bound
But the journey's far from over
and it may never end
Just know we think of you today
our love to you we send
Even though our paths aren't crossed
for now or for a time
We carry you all along our way
memories which make us smile
Set out on your own great quest
challenge yourself to find new ways
paths that lead to greater things
and more fulfilling days
Happy Christmas ! Merry Christmas!
to you our loved ones dear
We wish for you- your own great journey
for this and the new year!
MUCH LOVE
Jenn and Jack
Kissimmee, Florida
Tropical Palms RV Resort
2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
White House...The People's House
We tried to go to the White House, residence of the president. Nope. You can't just pop in to the Obama's and crash on their couch. You need to contact your congressman at home weeks ahead to ask permission and get approval. BUT... you CAN visit the White House Visitor Center down the street. It gave us a movie about the history of it...things like the fact George Washington pushed for this residence and picked the spot for it as well as helped design it or that Harry Truman's piano fell through one of the floors and he disassembled a bulldozer and reassembled it inside so he could gut the inside and rebuild the floors. The photos of that are neat!
It's a long way from when President Lincoln let people sleep in the entry way if they traveled far to see him and had to wait the next day. The White House went unfinished and was a wreck when John Adams moved in. There was still open pasture around when Lincoln lived there and rode his horse all over town. Two assassination attempts were made on him prior to the shooting at Ford's Theater as he rode around town but he asked that they never be made public.
The White House was not one of our MUST DO items on our list but it was more interesting than we thought. There was a Junior Ranger program there so that made it more fun. Mom and I didn't care about he china patterns but if you are wondering Martha Washington's is the one we liked best (simple, blue and white). It's changed a lot over the years because when Teddy Roosevelt was president his kids ran everywhere and business was hard to conduct so after him they built an office west wing so the family could have more privacy.
Make sure you make reservations if you want the inside tour.
It's a long way from when President Lincoln let people sleep in the entry way if they traveled far to see him and had to wait the next day. The White House went unfinished and was a wreck when John Adams moved in. There was still open pasture around when Lincoln lived there and rode his horse all over town. Two assassination attempts were made on him prior to the shooting at Ford's Theater as he rode around town but he asked that they never be made public.
The White House was not one of our MUST DO items on our list but it was more interesting than we thought. There was a Junior Ranger program there so that made it more fun. Mom and I didn't care about he china patterns but if you are wondering Martha Washington's is the one we liked best (simple, blue and white). It's changed a lot over the years because when Teddy Roosevelt was president his kids ran everywhere and business was hard to conduct so after him they built an office west wing so the family could have more privacy.
Make sure you make reservations if you want the inside tour.
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