It's been ages, but I dont' know if it's been just the horrid winter we've been having or if it's just me, but I've been having a really rough time of it lately. I haven't been in the mood for much of anything in ages. I've been meaning to come back here and finish up this report, but haven't been able to seem to get my act together. At any rate, I managed to pull myself together and upload some pictures to get another post up. With any luck it shouldn't take that long to do the next one. Now I just need to get caught up on everyone else's threads.
The day after the race we slept late, but not as late as we probably should have. We had probably gone to bed around 4/5 am and were up by about 10am or so. My friend was still feeling awful. She could barely walk and was hobbling around the room terribly. I on the other hand felt pretty good. I hadn't slept very well, since as soon as I got in bed all my muscles started tightening up and feeling a bit achey. By the time we got up though I was doing much better. My muscles were feeling just about normal the next day. If anything was giving me problems it was my feet. One of my toes was still feeling a bit numb (and continued to feel so for months) and the blisters were a bit tender, but other than that I felt great.
This was the day to enjoy the best reason to stay at the Beach Club - Stormalong Bay! My friend had forgotten her swimsuit, but she came down to the pool with me anyways. We picked up some lunch poolside, drank some delicious frozen drinks recommended to us by the cute, friendly poolside waiter. (It was almost like being on a cruise ship!)
While my friend relaxed in the shade reading a book, I plopped myself in the pool reveling in its sandy bottom goodness - so absolutely wonderful. I can be a complete pool rat. Once I get in, I practically have to be dragged out kicking and screaming. I wiled away my afternoon swimming and squishing my toes in the sand. So lovely. I was particularly entertained by the sinkholes, and the hidden hot tubs dotting the perimeter. I could have spent my entire vacations just hanging out by the pool. I did get a bit annoyed when I overheard a guy talking near me about how people who walked the 1/2 marathon didn't really deserve to get a medal. Pfft! He should only know how much that accomplishment means to some people. Eventually I dragged myself out of the pool to have another drink and take a few photos.
When we got back to the room we had a bit of time to rest before I put on my costume and we headed out to
MNSSHP and our dinner ADR at Crystal Palace. My friend forgot to bring a costume (at least that she claims, I'd guess that she really didn't want to be bothered), so she had picked up a Disney halloween themed shirt for the night. I wasn't having a repeat of our December
MVMCP/Ohana fiasco where we missed about 2 hours of the party due to the bus getting lost, the monorail shutting down temporarily and getting stuck in line on a broken down Space Mountain. I dragged my friend out the door of our hotel room way early for our ADR, but I was determined not to miss anything this time.
I shouldn't have worried so much. This was obviously going to be the trip that the transportation gods smiled on us, and as we walked down the hill to the bus stop there was a MK bus that waited for us to hop on.
Our ADR was for about 5pm so we had plenty of time before the official party started. We wandered through a few stores before heading to the Crystal Palace. I had been looking forward to this restaurant for awhile. It was one of the ADRs that I had to cancel last March when we got snowed in to NY and had to change our flight. I hadn't eaten there since before it was a character meal. We checked in early, and were seated right on time. Luckily they were celebrating Friendship day while we were there.
I think the Crystal Palace is one of the more beautiful restaurants at Disney.
We made a quick run up to the buffet, and I tried a few of the salads.
We were just getting back to our table when Tigger came to meet us. Tigger was very huggy!
My favorite Pooh character, Piglet, wasn't too far behind.
And everybody's favorite Pooh bear.
Not seeing anyone else coming we made a quick dash up to the buffet again to try some of the entrees. Everything was delicious. I'd recommend the Crystal Palace in a heartbeat for dinner. I think at the MK I still like the Liberty Tree Tavern a bit better, but this was almost as good. I've never tried CRT, but Tony's is one of my least favorite places at Disney.
I was pretty stuffed after that, but I did try a bit of the Key Lime pie for desert. Happily Eeyore managed to stop by for some hugs before we had to leave.
Dinner done it was time to head off and enjoy my favorite event at Disney - MNSSHP! We had loved it two years ago, would our second party live up to the first?
and more snow, sleet rain coming tomorrow. I am so ready for the summer :warm:
I'm sorry you have been feeling bad this winter...I can definitely relate to that. 
