~A XMAS STORY~decorations, crowds, pixies..AND A BLOODY NOSE~ACTUAL UPDATE 11/9 p190

[jordanyosh]

You lucked out with the Gorillas! At least the Gorilla wasn't flinging his poo.......

 

[Charleston Princess]

What great gorilla watching!!! I can't wait to see them!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Gotta love the gorillas.......looks like they were at their best! That's the first time I've ever seen one with a bowl on his head!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

The meercats are so cool. I love how quirky they are.

You have such good pictures of the gorillas! The bowl on the head was classic. I posted this on someone else's report (I can't remember who) but we had a great experience one time w/ them too. It was near the end of the day. The park was closing and we came to the end of the gorilla section and there were probably 5 of the gorillas moving all the way to the side.

There was only a few other people around and a CM came out and told us to stay and watch for a few minutes. They had a routine at the end of the day to round up the gorillas. They had trained them to move towards the backstage exit, and if they did it they got this frozen fruit/ice thing in a cup as a treat. They all sat there and waited for the CM and she threw these cups of frozen fruit to them from the path that we all were standing on. They would catch them or chase them down and then all sat there & ate them for probably 10 minutes. It was the most amazing thing, because it was all very calm & orderly. We took a ton of pictures during the whole thing. Then when they were done they all went into the back stage area. I will never forget it.

 

[winkers]

I can't believe the lady would have an argument with a 4 year old about what an animal is related to!
Maybe she knows that the Okapi are going to take over the world and she wanted him to be able to tell the difference between Okapis and Zebras?

ewwwww, to the Gorilla poop!
I don't know why , but big monkeys freak me out. Kinda like your fear of birds.

 

[MeMom]

I'm with you on the gorillas - they are fascinating to watch!
I think I'll ask a CM what time they start gathering them up in the evenings and try to get by and see that this summer. That would be something new for us, and we're always looking for new things to check out.

You got really good pictures, and of course the videos just make us easily picture ourselves standing right in those spots.

to Chris for his diplomatic way of handling an uncomfortable situation with the lady talking to Luke.

 

[timandlesley]

As always loved this installment Dawn. I loved all of the footage. Since we always go in June and AK is so stinkin' hot we've never done the trail, looks great though. Thanks for all of the pics and video. Looking forward to you conquering the mountain!
Lesley

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Brooklynn loves watching the gorillas and since I love it too we can spend a lot of time in front of that glass. I always feel bad though because there are others who want to see them. I'll just have to go during an off time and watch for a while.

 

[MagicShell]

I love the gorilla with a bowl on his head. They are very funny animals. One of the gorillas at the Memphis Zoo loves to watch TV and his favorite show is Rachael Ray.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Great videos! Eek! That frog is gross!

Great update! So fun!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

OMG I love the pics of the gorilla with the bowl on his head. I just showed the kids and they couldn't stop laughing. I love to just stand there and watch them. They're so awesome! I'm heading over to the NYC TR now. I need to get my May TR started...I usually don't move this slow.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

As always loved this installment Dawn. I loved all of the footage. Since we always go in June and AK is so stinkin' hot we've never done the trail, looks great though. Thanks for all of the pics and video. Looking forward to you conquering the mountain!
Lesley

We went in June once, too - IKWYM. We kind of run through there because of the heat - totally missed the meerkats, but there are alot of educational things there, miss teacher There is a covered shed with glass front homes of hairless rats, some different skulls on display, and I think different "poos" and tracks, with CMs on hand to teach.

There is a bird net right before the gorillas with a card to identify the different birds. It isn't as hot as being out on the regular street in the sun.

 

[joy13]

The gorilla pictures were great! I got some great gorilla pictures when we went to the zoo in April, I'll post them on my report just for you

 

[xoktenox]

Oh man, the Pangani trail is wayyy cooler than the Marharaja (or however its spelled) trail! Those gorillas are soooo cool. I like the one with the bowl on his head, thats so funny.

BTW, that lottery plan sounds reeeeally good!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Believe it or not, I've never gone on the trails. Have to change that this time! What's up w/ the lady trying to school Luke? People are nuts! Lots of great pictures this update-- as always. I especially love the gorilla with the bowl on his head! And thanks for the poo free update!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Sometimes people feel the need to argue with kids, I don't know why it confuses me too. He's four for pete's sake. The gorilla with the bowl on the head was a hit over here too. My DD3 was sitting on my lap while I'm reading this and she laughed. and asked why he has a bowl Gotta go over to your NYC thread but we're going out tonight (date night with DH and some friends) so I'll have to read it tomorrow.

 

[punkin413]

okay..i'm back...got more catching up to do......

again, so glad to see you back.

You lucked out with the Gorillas! At least the Gorilla wasn't flinging his poo.......

good point.

What great gorilla watching!!! I can't wait to see them!!!

they are SO cool! you will be seeing them in just days!!!!!

Gotta love the gorillas.......looks like they were at their best! That's the first time I've ever seen one with a bowl on his head!

i wish i would've seen him, too! anna and company actually saw that after we had gone on ahead.

The meercats are so cool. I love how quirky they are.

You have such good pictures of the gorillas! The bowl on the head was classic. I posted this on someone else's report (I can't remember who) but we had a great experience one time w/ them too. It was near the end of the day. The park was closing and we came to the end of the gorilla section and there were probably 5 of the gorillas moving all the way to the side.

There was only a few other people around and a CM came out and told us to stay and watch for a few minutes. They had a routine at the end of the day to round up the gorillas. They had trained them to move towards the backstage exit, and if they did it they got this frozen fruit/ice thing in a cup as a treat. They all sat there and waited for the CM and she threw these cups of frozen fruit to them from the path that we all were standing on. They would catch them or chase them down and then all sat there & ate them for probably 10 minutes. It was the most amazing thing, because it was all very calm & orderly. We took a ton of pictures during the whole thing. Then when they were done they all went into the back stage area. I will never forget it.

the meerkats are really cool. i love watching them looking around! SO COOl about your gorilla story! i will have to remember that: go on that trail near closing time!

I can't believe the lady would have an argument with a 4 year old about what an animal is related to!
Maybe she knows that the Okapi are going to take over the world and she wanted him to be able to tell the difference between Okapis and Zebras?

ewwwww, to the Gorilla poop!
I don't know why , but big monkeys freak me out. Kinda like your fear of birds.

i know! i really hope okapis don't take over the world because they have really long tongues and that would kinda freak me out.

I'm with you on the gorillas - they are fascinating to watch!
I think I'll ask a CM what time they start gathering them up in the evenings and try to get by and see that this summer. That would be something new for us, and we're always looking for new things to check out.

You got really good pictures, and of course the videos just make us easily picture ourselves standing right in those spots.

to Chris for his diplomatic way of handling an uncomfortable situation with the lady talking to Luke.

i really want to see that now! i've made a mental note to go to the pangani trail near closing next time.

 

[punkin413]

As always loved this installment Dawn. I loved all of the footage. Since we always go in June and AK is so stinkin' hot we've never done the trail, looks great though. Thanks for all of the pics and video. Looking forward to you conquering the mountain!
Lesley

thanks! maybe you guys can hit the trail early one morning to avoid the heat. i know AK is always so hot - i can't imagine how hot it is in the summer!

Brooklynn loves watching the gorillas and since I love it too we can spend a lot of time in front of that glass. I always feel bad though because there are others who want to see them. I'll just have to go during an off time and watch for a while.

i'm with brooklynn - i could spend all day there!

I love the gorilla with a bowl on his head. They are very funny animals. One of the gorillas at the Memphis Zoo loves to watch TV and his favorite show is Rachael Ray.

that is hilarious!

Great videos! Eek! That frog is gross!

Great update! So fun!

i love frogs but that one does look a big gooey!

OMG I love the pics of the gorilla with the bowl on his head. I just showed the kids and they couldn't stop laughing. I love to just stand there and watch them. They're so awesome! I'm heading over to the NYC TR now. I need to get my May TR started...I usually don't move this slow.

i love those pictures, too. we didn't see him - anna and company did. they were behind us and apparently he started doing that after we had walked on ahead.

The gorilla pictures were great! I got some great gorilla pictures when we went to the zoo in April, I'll post them on my report just for you

cool....i'll be sure to check them out!

Oh man, the Pangani trail is wayyy cooler than the Marharaja (or however its spelled) trail! Those gorillas are soooo cool. I like the one with the bowl on his head, thats so funny.

BTW, that lottery plan sounds reeeeally good!

did you guys do the pangani trail? i can't remember! if not....NEXT TIME!

Believe it or not, I've never gone on the trails. Have to change that this time! What's up w/ the lady trying to school Luke? People are nuts! Lots of great pictures this update-- as always. I especially love the gorilla with the bowl on his head! And thanks for the poo free update!

oh, you'd love them! you really need to check them out next time. glad to oblige with the poo-free update.

Sometimes people feel the need to argue with kids, I don't know why it confuses me too. He's four for pete's sake. The gorilla with the bowl on the head was a hit over here too. My DD3 was sitting on my lap while I'm reading this and she laughed. and asked why he has a bowl Gotta go over to your NYC thread but we're going out tonight (date night with DH and some friends) so I'll have to read it tomorrow.

seriously! glad your kids enjoyed the gorilla! hope you had fun on your date night!

 

[punkin413]

before i start on this update i have to share with you what we did this weekend. saturday was anna's 29th birthday and she worked out a deal with a local kayak-renting company for all of us to go kayaking on the chattahoochee river for really cheap. so saturday morning we all met up for our adventure. here we all are.....left to right: chris, anna, greg, melanie, another greg (anna's BIL), natalie (anna's sister), amanda, rebekah, me and ray.

notice the sign behind us says, "the dam store." that's because they're located near buford dam. and boy, do they play on the words! when i asked where the bathroom was the guy said, "up the dam stairs and down the dam hallway."

ray and i decided to get a double kayak and go together. well, it was enjoyable OTHER than the fact that one of the first things that happened was ray ran into a tree and managed to scrape the front of my left leg in the process. but that wasn't the worst part. oh, no.

there aren't that many rapids in this area but there are a few small ones. on one of the biggest ones we went into it forwards, like you're supposed to, but our kayak quickly got turned sideways before we could stop it and the next thing we knew, we were tipping over....INTO 48-DEGREE WATER!!!!! at first i was fine. i just found my footing (it was only about 3-4 feet of water) and started to grab the boat to get it turned back over. then the COLD hit me. i'm telling you, i've always been baffled when i hear that someone drowns in 3 feet of water. but now i know. when you're in water that cold you literally CANNOT move. it's like your brain is telling you to do something and your body is going.....UM....NO!!!! on top of the shock of the cold water i was trying to hang on to our huge kayak which was not helping me find my footing. i looked back to see that ray had let go of the kayak and i was the only one holding it....hence the struggle. chris yelled at me to let go of it and he'd go catch it down the river. so i did and it took a few seconds for me to find a place where i could actually climb out of the water without being either sucked away by the current or bust my backside on the slippery rocks. when i got out i was SHAKING, half from shock and half from being freezing cold. i had to stand there for a few minutes to get myself back together again. it was not a good feeling.

to add to it chris got our boat to the side of the river (thank goodness) but in order to get to it i had to trapse in and out of branches and rocks up to my knees in freezing cold water. so by the time i got back to the boat i couldn't feel my feet. even though it was hot on saturday i didn't warm up for about 30 minutes. it was quite an experience!

other than that, i really enjoyed it! it was nice being out on the peaceful river on such a nice day! and i was glad to see that anna had a great birthday.

on to the TR........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

after the pangani trail i called anna and told her that ray and i were heading for everest and we'd go ahead and ride, to just meet us there and then they could ride while we watched luke. i was itching to conquer that mountain!

some pictures along the way.....

we ran into devine again (funny - 2 times in 1 trip when i hadn't ever seen her in the 4 trips prior!). this time she was making an arch for us to walk through. REALLY cool!

then she walked RIGHT past me and went to hide in the trees again.

ray took some video. she almost hits him with her.....branch!



as we walked away from devine i overhead a woman telling her friends to keep an eye out for the "tree lady" because she really wanted to see her. i stopped and told her friend where to find her. my good deed for the day was done!

i took these on the way to EE. i had to post this one because i learned from kristin that the points on the temple mirror the points on everest.

we stopped there to get some photopass pics and i took a couple while we were waiting.

a BIG bird! i was glad he was far away.

here are our photopass pics....

we headed towards EE and were on in no time with the fastpasses we had gotten that morning.

fun climbing the mountain!

here we go....up, up, up!

continued in next post: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32090065&postcount=2000

 

[punkin413]

looking left off the mountain. can you see SE, the dolphin and ToT?

i ALWAYS take this picture. does anyone else pretend like they didn't know the track ends???

i ALWAYS take this picture, too. i just like seeing what everyone behind me is doing.

we survived our encounter with the yeti yet again. when we got off and i went to see our picture, i waited and waited. but nothing! we were robbed ONCE AGAIN! so no redneck picture of EE for you guys.

while we were on the ride i felt my phone in my pocket vibrate so i checked it and anna had called us. i called her back and they were on their way over, so it old her we'd meet them near the exit of EE. i took this while we were waiting......so peaceful!

meanwhile, anna, chris and luke were making their way over to EE from the pangani trial. she took these on the way.....

remember this kiosk....we will visit it again later!

we met them a few minutes later and as they were getting on the ride luke began to become very upset. he didn't want them to ride. somebody was sleepy! anna really wanted to ride because they had come to AK in 2007 and didn't ride EE because luke was so small and they didn't really ride anything for the adults. anna talked to him for awhile and eventually chris gave me some money to take him to buy some monkey he had seen at a kiosk a few minutes before. so away they went on EE.

finally on EE! she'd been waiting to ride this for almost 2 years.

this was their "scared" faces!

anna took pictures on the ride, too! great minds think alike.

this is so funny - she took a picture of the view of the right side...completely the opposite of me! so we got both sides.

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here's their redneck picture.....

of course they loved it!

while they were riding luke and i headed back to find the kiosk with the monkey. ray stayed with the stroller near EE. the kiosk was easy to spot - it was full of stuffed animals! it was actually the one in the picture above. when we got there he changed his mind though. he no longer wanted the monkey but wanted a leopard instead. that was fine by me! while we were paying for the leopard the sky opened up and it POURED!!!!! we took cover under the little shade of the kiosk - there was just enough room for me, luke and the CM there. so we didn't get too wet. luckily it was a quick shower and was over really quickly.

we met back up with everyone and at that point it was around 1:20. there was a 1:45 showing of finding nemo so we decided to do that.

heading towards nemo with a new friend!

bye everest....see ya in a couple years!

here we are.

we got inside pretty quickly and had really decent seats down front and to the right of the stage.

bubbles!!!! (minus nemo)

at one point i looked up to see this. ray, anna and chris are all OUT! i guess the air conditioning in there and 3.5 days of going strong at disney world was getting to them all! me and luke were the only ones awake.

i'll stop here because i have lots of nemo pics. next up....clownfish, giraffes and a kidnapped baby elephant adventure!