Oh Florida! An East Meets West Girl's TR: 8/9 p56 & 8/17 p57

[MEK]

There aren't many who can take as many pictures that are as good as hers.

Thanks!

Lookss tropical...

It was so pretty!

There's just something about that pose. So timeless and classic. It is hard to resist. Although I give him some credit for singing with it.

to the extra credit!

They don't overlook anything!

They really don't. And sometimes its the small details that are the most effective.

You are cruel!!! Make this happen!!!!!!

Seriously, I don't know how it hasn't happened yet.

It is a cool chandelier. I've always thought it looks more Mardi Gras, New Orleans-ish than Italian. I guess it's the beads?

I agree with you! It is one of the more festive features in the restaurant. I totally see the NOLA theme there.

Totally makes sense to me.

shiny = plastic. same thing.

Noooooooo!!!!!

But I get where you're coming from. Maybe you just need a break for a while so you can come back recharged later?

As much as I like the DIS its something that you have to really work at to stay up to date. If I miss a day or two I feel so far behind. If I could just stay caught up I would be good.

I get it. Makes sense.

Because Candy crush is super mindless and mindless is easy.

I've heard only good things about these. Never tried it myself, but it looks great.

Definitely put it on your bucket list. I can't wait until my next waffle sammie!

Even when it is dry...

Yup, even when its dry.

Looks like a cool shop. Don't know how I've managed to miss it. Never stepped foot inside.

It really was more of a kiosk. It's sort of tucked in a corner making it a little harder to find. I've only gone in there once.

But I still think you have more bride pictures.

Oh, I KNOW I do.....I just can't resist a Disney bride.

But they make way for bigger and better things!

I am looking forward to seeing the changes in August!

 

[MEK]

Glad you are back at it!

I'm trying...

That's not funny! I do understand you need a break from here sometimes! I usually get mine during Football season as I'm so busy coaching, but come December I really need to come back here. Really am glad you are back!

Thanks! I just keeping missing a couple days at a time and that makes it hard to stay caught up. It's something you really have to work on every day or you feel so disconnected. I missed a couple days again this past week and I feel SO far behind.

No more pics like this while I'm on my pre-vacation diet! You're making me hungry.

I hear ya! Same thing. I've been counting calories too and its not easy looking at food porn.

Always love your pictures!

Thank you!

I hope some more of the hub construction is done before we arrive in a couple of weeks. It would just make things so much nicer in the Magic Kingdom!

Totally. I hope it looks wonderful when you are there.

Great update, MEK. And you can't leave the DIS...we would miss you and your pictures.

Awww thanks Kathy! I'm not leaving, I'm just having a hard time keeping caught up and I'm not sure why.

I'm glad you found a new go-to sandwich at the MK (I probably would prefer Olivia's...but I'm a very fussy eater).

Well, there's nothing like Olivia's, but for a quick breakfast at a reasonable price, this certainly did the trick!

I'm glad you got to hook up with your friend who used to be here on the DIS.

It was lovely to see her and her family. And her daughter is just too adorable.

You were on a tear with those Mine Ride photos, weren't you?

Now the Mine Train seems like old hat, but a year ago it was pretty darn special. Yup - I was having a hard time putting the camera down.

Great photos of you and Cynthia.

Thanks!

Which quiet pool is that? I don't remember there being a child's slide by the two quiet pools we've used.

OMG - now you are making me try to think of landmarks. I need a map for reference. Our villa was all the way back near the path that connects OKW to SSR. It was right beside our villa. I'll give you a better explanation when I check out a map.

 

[MEK]

OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN!! It may say FP+... but in my heart it says Fastpass.

It will always be a FP to me, too! *sniff sniff*

I could not agree more. Spontaneous pictures, un-posed, would have been something you would look back on with much more fondness years later I think.

I totally agree. There is something so cool about catching just the right moment in progress!

I hope not too Mary Ellen!!!!!! But I do get it.

The DIS does take a lot of work. I am definitely starting to understand why people drift away from it.

Oh my, I do love a good waffle. I will definitely keep this in mind. This would make a good alternative to my normal Gaston's Cinnamon bun.

Not that there is anything wrong with a cinnamon bun, but the whole ham and cheese thing seems to keep me full longer. I do terrible just eating a muffin, as much as I love them. But I end up hungry in an hour.

I love this. Thomas Kinkade. I have that very photo as part of a Disney calender

It's a gorgeous picture. I wish I could own it!

Kinda loving this update

Glad I could help with that!

Eric needs to go away though.

Your Williamsburg trip is coming up soon!!!

It surely is! I am very excited. Did some packing today.

Oh that Via Napoli

Gotta love that Via!

Did you start a TR yet? If you did, please let me know! I'll never find it by myself.

 

[MEK]

What does RK stand for? This looks like a cool app.

I think it stands for Run Keeper, if I'm not mistaken. I just use Map my run, although I probably should branch out a bit.

That is hilarious. It must have felt pretty good, too. I've sat in a cold bathtub after running in order to cool down before work. But a pool would be a lot nicer.

Oh that pool felt glorious and even though it was years ago - possibly before kids - I will always remember that morning.

 

[jenseib]

Catching back up once again. When do you head off to Williamsburg?

Another great update with fabulous pictures. I have been so busy lately and it was just nice to sit and scroll through admiring them all. I need a Disney fix and I don't think it will be happening this year.

 

[MEK]

Who cares, you scored FP's! Did anyone hand you a magic Tomorrowland pin too?

We wish! I totally forgot we were gifted a FP. win Win!

Unreal how fast they're growing up. What did you get, about a year out of those t-shirts?

Her boys are getting really big.

Their loss! Love me some Via Napoli.

me too!

I agree with that. If you spend all your time trying to arrange the perfect kodak moment you end up missing the actual moment.

You got that right. It is awesome when you DO get one of those moments.

I hope it won't come to that!

I'm not taking that bet.

Smart move!

Cool map inside!

I think so too!

Sad, but true!

Looks like a nice place to hang out!

It really was!

 

[MEK]

Ritas in the Rain

Before I get to this update I just want to apologize again for not finishing all my replies. I will. I promise. But I’m working tomorrow night so if I don’t post this now it might not happen.

Before I post the actual TR update I thought it would be fun to share a few pics I took last summer.

Here’s a few from St Michaels, Md. I was there for a day trip last July.













We went out on this boat for a scenic river ride.



Main Street







From the tour boat



I forgot the name of the river we were on and I’m too lazy to google it, but it was lined with one lovely property after another



Scenes from Wedding Crashers were filmed here - you know - the ones where they were allegedly on the big family house on an island.



Duck blind



For sale? Don’t mind if I do!





We had company on the water



This is actually a resort. Once again I am too lazy to google the name. I would love to stay there. So pretty!



I love the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It’s so pretty and unique.







A few weeks later we were in Ocean City Md. Here are a few pictures from that trip.





Brian’s GF worked here last summer, so we stopped in for breakfast.



This place needs a serious bar rescue, but the view from the outside seating can’t be beat.



Continued In the Next Post

 

[MEK]

We spent some time strolling the boardwalk

























Thanks for letting me share.

Now on to my update…..

Ritas in the Rain

In my last update we had just spent a lazy afternoon at the pool after a brief morning at the MK. We had dinner plans at one of the resorts, but thought it would be fun to head into Epcot for a pre dinner adult beverage.

Entering the park





I don’t remember exactly where this was…the festival center maybe?





There were a couple darling ducks enjoying the scenery.





Continued In the Next Post

 

[MEK]

Clearly I saw an opportunity for a photo-op with the fountain







Having fun with different shutter speeds.





For some reason I felt the need to photograph this bag. I have no idea why. Did I develop a sudden fascination with sequins???



Hey Goofy. I’m Back!



Hey, I think I have an idea!



Once again, one of my favorite things about F&G









By now you may have realized that we were heading for a specific destination.

Not here



or here



or here



Rather, we were heading here - home of the best dang margarita on the planet.







Not sure where I was standing when I took this picture, but its next in the lineup.



Once inside it was all business.

Jalapeno margarita (on the left) - don’t mind if I do!



Looks like we decided to hang out a little longer after our liquid fortification











Continued In the Next Post

 

[MEK]

I must have deleted the rest of my pictures because they were crapola!

Looks like we walked down to Norway next.



Maybe I took this picture from there? It would make more sense,wouldn’t it?



It was time for us to head out for our dinner ADR, but the weather was NOT cooperating.



Time to break out the ponchos again!

That is some serious rain!







Rain Rain Go Away



We dodged the rain and made our way to the monorail so we could head to dinner.

Any guesses?

Up Next - dinner and a show (sort of).

 

[MEK]

I haven't yet eaten at Via Napoli but reallllly want to!

Oh you MUST! It's really yummy! Can't wait to go back in just 10 weeks! Woo hoo!

I totally understand getting overwhelmed sometimes by the Dis. When I got back from my trip over the weekend I logged on and thought "how will I ever catch up?! I can't do this!" Slowly but surely, though, I'm getting there. I did promise myself that I wouldn't start my TR until I was officially "caught up". I hope life calms down a little for you!

It's always hardest to catch up after a trip. I am barely ....and I mean barely...keeping up. Next week this time I will have lost any ground I've gained.

Yum - the waffle sammie looks heavenly! I missed out on that last week.

That is an excellent sammie, especially for the price. I highly recommend it!

I always adore your pictures... something about your style just makes me really feel like I'm there touring with you. So thank you for that!

Thank you! That's such a nice compliment!

Lots of great pictures of MK. The substitute breakfast looks tasty.

Thanks! I just loving taking pictures, even if its the same ones over and over again.

That sammie was so good! I have definitely been a repeat customer.

I hope you'll still check in on the Dis. I think it's just that everyone is busy right now that it makes it hard to keep to a routine and get some chill-ax time. I keep thinking that the year is going to be different....but it only just seems to get more and more complex and hectic.

'

I'm not giving up on the DIS yet. Even though its getting harder and harder to keep caught up, I really do enjoy it. It's a great pasttime, but its work t kepp up.

Ihear ya about the hectic.

 

[MEK]

Ahh, a paper FP! How I miss those! And I always assumed, well, whenever I visit Disneyland, I'll get to see paper FP's again, but I hear they're testing FP+ there this summer so I guess whenever I go to Disneyland, I'll get stuck with FP+ there too!

I figured that DL wouldn't be far behind as far as FP+ is concerned. I agree - the paper FPs are cool and I didn't appreciate them when they still existed. *sniff sniff*

Mary Ellen, you can't leave the DIS, it's not allowed. Sorry.

No worries. I'm not leaving. I'm just struggling to stay up to speed, that's all.

(Just kidding, I took a little absence from it, as you know, and honestly, it helps. I got so overwhelmed by it, and I focused so much on each trip on getting the perfect picture and taking the perfect notes for trip reports that I was just like forget it, and stopped for a while! Now I'm back and writing another TR, but I don't put that pressure on myself that I used to, and it's so much better and easier!)

I'm glad you break really helped. It does get hard when you put pressure on yourself. I never take notes or worry about the pictures I take. Well, that's not entirely true. When I go through a phase when I have the camera put away I always think "this can't be good for my TR".

Aww, you met up with LL, another DIS'er who I wish would come back and write more TR's!

Me too! I used to love your PTRs. They were the best!

I want to try one of those waffle sandwiches from Sleepy Hollow, but I am never hungry enough! I always have breakfast somewhere else so I end up having to skip them! Someday!

You just have to skip your regular breakfast and head straight there. You definitely have to appraoch one of those with an empty stomach because they are HUGE! Of course, you could always split one with Brandon.

I love your pictures of the Little Mermaid ride, so cute!

Thanks!

That pool looks amazing, I really like the look of that resort, it looks like such a nice place to just relax!

OKW is an awesome resort. I really love it there. It's very laid back and has the most totally relaxed vibe. I highly recommend it!

 

[MEK]

Hooray - Caught up for now. Great couple of updates,

.

YAYAYAYAYAY! Nice to see you make a guest appearance! It's been awhile since you've posted - anywhere..... Miss you guys!

I was back with the bad cab ride after closing down DTD.

You would have thought that cap driver would have shown a bit more costumer serivce. hmmph!

We did have a fun time at DTD.

A little rain - a few DIS meets and some pool time and a couple of great meals. Yup that sums it up.

Pretty much! That's how we roll. It was a great time of year for DIS meets. I don't think I know one person who is going the same time as me in August.

I love the fruit nutella waffle. I could eat half of that for breakfast. a whole one would be meals for the day.

That looks super scrumptious. I would love to try that some day, but right now I am addicted to the ham and cheese waffle. SOOOOOOO good!!!!!

Catching back up once again. When do you head off to Williamsburg?

Heading down Wednesday after work. Not sure where we are staying the first night. I'll decided that tomorrow, but we are staing at the Marriott Vacation village the rest of the time. Yup, same place that you stayed. Of course, we'll be in a studio. I'm looking forward to checking it out!

Another great update with fabulous pictures. I have been so busy lately and it was just nice to sit and scroll through admiring them all. I need a Disney fix and I don't think it will be happening this year.

I love looking at DIS pictures when I need a fix, so I know exactly what you are saying.

I am looking forward to hearing more about your cruise plans for this year. That's got to give you plenty of planning to do.

 

[glennbo123]

Soon after, we hit some of my favorite topiaries. This one reminds me of my son Evan who will recreate this pose often, complete with singing. Just seeing it makes me smile.

I've struck that pose, holding our little bichon-frise many times. And sung. Except at our house the lyrics start out as "Pennsylvania! The keystone state." Mostly because I don't know what the actual lyrics are.

We both ordered the ham, prosciutto, and Swiss cheese waffle.

May I present heaven on a waffle

YUMMMMMMMMMMM!

I did not know this existed. I'll have to keep that in mind!!

Question for you -- so what's your favorite margarita at the ditch? The jalapeno? Avacado?

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Loved all your day trip photos Mary Ellen. Thanks for sharing.

UGH, almost a Canadia rooster.

Do you know the reason for all the UK flags?

but thought it would be fun to head into Epcot for a pre dinner adult beverage.

I like your logic!

You seriously take the most uniquely beautiful photos.

Looks like we decided to hang out a little longer after our liquid fortification

Oh... see I thought that was a selfie after enjoying your liquid fortification.

 

[MEK]

I've struck that pose, holding our little bichon-frise many times. And sung. Except at our house the lyrics start out as "Pennsylvania! The keystone state." Mostly because I don't know what the actual lyrics are.

Now THAT's something I need to see!

I did not know this existed. I'll have to keep that in mind!!

It is super yummy! I didn't know it existed until last May and now I think its my favorite pick up and go breakfast meal.

Question for you -- so what's your favorite margarita at the ditch? The jalapeno? Avacado?

[/QUOTE]

The jalapeno is my favorite with the cucumber being a close second. The Avocado is good, but its really thick, almost like a smoothy. Well, not that thick, but close. I like to drink clears and beers when I'm drinking alcohol, so I probably won't have the avocado again. The pineapple and the original are also really good.

 

[MEK]

Loved all your day trip photos Mary Ellen. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome! I've been meaning to share for awhile but very slow in getting them uploaded to photobucket. I also have some W-burg pics I want to share, especially since I will be going for another visit this week.

UGH, almost a Canadia rooster.

Boo! I really tried to capture the resemblance!

Do you know the reason for all the UK flags?

I don't, but I wonder if it has something to do with owners.

I like your logic!

Me too!

You seriously take the most uniquely beautiful photos.

Thank you! I truly love taking pictures. Its so much fun for me!

Oh... see I thought that was a selfie after enjoying your liquid fortification.

Touche' - Good one!!!!!

 

[franandaj]

OK, I was four pages behind! I had to skip a lot of the comments because I'm just that hectic right now, but I gather from everyone else that everyone seems to be hectic right now! There's a lot of people who are in overdrive on their TRs because they have more trips coming up, but what stands out to me is the detail pictures, they are beautiful. The fountain the glass flowers, and all that.

Cynthia, I'm glad you solved the mystery of the paper FPs. Other than that I'm just going to enjoy the ride and hope things calm down soon. Life is getting to crazy!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love your pictures from St Michaels. We don't have an ocean anywhere near here so it is interesting to see what we're missing. I'd love to see your Williamsburg pictures. It has been a very long time since we were there and I'm sure that there have been a lot of changes since then.

 

[afwdwfan]

Scenes from Wedding Crashers were filmed here - you know - the ones where they were allegedly on the big family house on an island.

Cool! So I wonder how many people try to "crash" there now that they've seen it in the movie?

For sale? Don’t mind if I do!

No kidding. The duck blind is probably closer to my price range though. And I'm not even sure I can afford that!

A few weeks later we were in Ocean City Md. Here are a few pictures from that trip.

I've been there before! Interesting beach area. I've never really done the east coast beach/boardwalk thing, so it was kind of cool to check it out and do some bar hopping.

Clearly I saw an opportunity for a photo-op with the fountain

You have an eye for them!

Rather, we were heading here - home of the best dang margarita on the planet.

I never would have guessed!

Gotta love a stop at the Ditch.

It was time for us to head out for our dinner ADR, but the weather was NOT cooperating.

Yuck. Our recent December trips have kind of spoiled me. It has been YEARS since I've experienced a Florida downpour like that.