An Alphabetical, (Flower and) Garden Variety TR- V is for: Vida la Tucson! TR COMPLETE! (3/14)

[pkondz]

So, without the drivel that very few read anymore anyway

But the important people are still here.

Marcia took the morning off and slept in while I took off for a little Sivako.

Wait... slept in? This is possible???

Sorry for the brevity, but, Christmas. Moving on…..

Yep. Get it. Christmas can be a bit of a time sucker.

He looks like he thinks it's duck hunting season.

Okay...
I was like "Wow! I never knew there was such a thing!"... then...

Oh.

Pandora.

Enjoyed the entire ride to myself!

Good thing you got your mask on, then!

No mask.... Heh. Bet there were people closer to you when you took this, then when you were on the ride!

Lunch time!!

So you're saying you had giant escargot?

What are the cubes? Potato? Bread?

Wow, that looks pretty. How was it?

Where was this?

 

[pkondz]

Forgive me! I inadvertently missed the evening of the day before which was actually a highlight of the trip for me.

HOW DARE YOU!!!!

I've half a mind to not read anymore.

No. Wait. That should just be "I've half a mind."
What were we talking about?

at least one of us was pretty sore and not feeling spunky.

Oh dear.

another thing I came to realize and appreciate was how exhausting simply having to USE a scooter was.

Oh! That never occurred to me! I would've guessed the opposite.
"Nice! No walking. A restful vacation."

I was frustrated at how much extra time everything took and it was exhausting having to constantly think about where you are and how you need to get from Point A to Point B.

But now I get it. Mental fatigue is no less tiring than physical.

I love the desert SW

I've only been the one time, and that, for just a day, but... I really enjoyed it.

Pretty shot across the water.

I am not joking that I was literally terrified that I was going to ride myself right into the shallow end as the pool area was PACKED and extremely difficult to navigate in.

The bathroom was close by (ALWAYS a bonus for those of us who can’t seem to go without for more than 5 minutes),

I know a lady like that! I've met her a couple times at Disney.

I had brought a couple of single serving Coconut Rums and ordered a Coke. Voila, a $5 cocktail.

Not bad! Saved yourself $15 or more.

(A Gentleman in Moscow, in case you’re curious)

Hey! I've read that! Good book.

I have never in my life met someone who loses stuff more often than I do.

What? This is possible????
Does she deliberately throw things away?

I am not joking one little bit when I say that every single time we were ready to head out or go anywhere she had to look for something that she’d misplaced.

Ugh... that would get old really quick.

Anyway, before the other two arrived, I was treated to the very 'family-friendly' scene of one extraordinarily drunk 20-something who wore a string between her buttcheeks and not much else and was protesting loudly about getting escorted offstage.

What... no photos?

I don’t want to see your bare hiney, let alone any of my grandkids that might be there. Perhaps I’m a prude. #prudeproud

Hmmm... kidding aside, I'm okay with it. It seems to be the latest fashion and is becoming more common.
I presume they wanted to remove her for her behaviour rather than her attire?

Caroline had been texting her whereabouts and was able join us after we’d been there about an hour.

Yay!

every charcuterie is custom made and unique.

Wow!

I’d brought some fancy crackers to add some crunch, but of course, forgot to bring them to the pool for the occasion I’d packed them for.

What were you saying earlier about forgetting things????

So just like 80% of the clothes I never end up wearing, I hauled them to and from Florida for no reason whatsoever.

No I'm wondering if you actually did bring underwear to the park, but just couldn't find them in your bags.

I was disappointed that Ariane and Jenny couldn't make it, maybe another time.

Oh, that's too bad.

That looks really well prepared! The Mickey cheese is a nice touch.
Are those sesame coated... olives? Peanuts?

We three had a very nice time just girl-talking, getting to know each other better, and people watching.

Sounds like you guys had a nice relaxing time.

Time passes so quickly when one is amongst good friends, doesn’t it?

 

[Steppesister]

The pictures are stunning! I see you ordered my beloved chili spiked tofu.

I love that tofu!! It's very flavorful with a nice crispy outside.

I adore CSR as well. So exciting that you will be in Arizona as of next week. I hope this adventure brings you everything you wish

I hope so too! At the very least I'll be able to take some quiet, desert walks on my days off.

We were in Casitas as well and loved it.

Such a quiet, pretty resort.

Perfect hack! A Gentleman in Moscow is on my reading list too.

Saves money for sure!

I love it so far. Although I think the beginning 1/3 was more enjoyable for me that where I am now. I have about 1/3 left.

Yup! Although then I worry as my Mom does have Alzheimers and i think about what may lay ahead for me.

It's such a hard disease to navigate and heartbreaking for so many. I'm sure your mom has good care but doesn't make it any less hard.

There is a time and a place for everything and Disney is not it. Nothing wrong with a little modesty.

Correct.

Yum! That looks delicious! Will have to think about ordering for our March trip.

They are not cheap, but there were loads of leftovers and I nibbled on it for a few days, even taking some on my flight home.

So nice to have that time together.

 

[Steppesister]

But the important people are still here.

Wait... slept in? This is possible???

It actually is. Yeppers!

Yep. Get it. Christmas can be a bit of a time sucker.

Mine has bee pretty low key; but I'm making up for it in packing and getting ready to move (temporarily). You asked how it was I was "moving" to Tucson. Bowling Green will be my permanent home base (and tax home), but about half the year for the foreseeable future, I'll be spending it on travel nursing assignments at various locations. No solid plan and I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.

He looks like he thinks it's duck hunting season.

Okay...
I was like "Wow! I never knew there was such a thing!"... then...

Oh.

Pandora.

I think those little signs are pretty amusing when you're stuck in line.

Good thing you got your mask on, then!

No mask.... Heh. Bet there were people closer to you when you took this, then when you were on the ride!

Oh come on. Now you're just pointing out the ridiculous absurdities.

So you're saying you had giant escargot?

Disney is great at disguising stuff. Who knows what's in that bowl, really.

What are the cubes? Potato? Bread?

Tofu and tasty at that! Crispy on the outside and lightly spicy in flavor. I really like it.

Wow, that looks pretty. How was it?

Honestly? So-so. I am not a "creamy" dessert kind of gal. This was a mousse like stuff and not my cup of tea. I had to do it once to say I had.

Where was this?

I cannot lie.

It's in my favorite property bathroom- the one as you enter Pandora on the right. Always quiet and nicely decorated.

 

[Steppesister]

HOW DARE YOU!!!!

I've half a mind to not read anymore.

No. Wait. That should just be "I've half a mind."
What were we talking about?

I have no idea! LOL!!

Oh! That never occurred to me! I would've guessed the opposite.
"Nice! No walking. A restful vacation."

No, that wasn't the case with me. It was hard to remember to add extra time, wait in line (for sometimes up to an hour!) extra, etc....

But now I get it. Mental fatigue is no less tiring than physical.

I never experienced that more acutely than when trying to learn a foreign language. I was thoroughly exhausted by the early evening and we'd often be in bed by 8 or before.

I've only been the one time, and that, for just a day, but... I really enjoyed it.

I really hope you get to spend more time in the lovely desert!!

I know a lady like that! I've met her a couple times at Disney.

Not bad! Saved yourself $15 or more.

I is smart.

Hey! I've read that! Good book.

I think so too, but the last bit hasn't been quite as interesting as the first 1/3.

What? This is possible????
Does she deliberately throw things away?

She just had a funny way of "organizing" her stuff and in the end became very disorganized.

What... no photos?

Sorry!! LOL!

Hmmm... kidding aside, I'm okay with it. It seems to be the latest fashion and is becoming more common.
I presume they wanted to remove her for her behaviour rather than her attire?

I will have to respectfully disagree. There is a time and a place for everything, as Susan said. Disney is not the place. I would assume it was a total package that warranted her removal.

What were you saying earlier about forgetting things????

Tee hee....

No I'm wondering if you actually did bring underwear to the park, but just couldn't find them in your bags.

I'll keep you wondering....

That looks really well prepared! The Mickey cheese is a nice touch.
Are those sesame coated... olives? Peanuts?

Yes peanuts.

 

[Paulaparm]

because I can be the Queen of Misplaced Things and feel like half the time I have early onset Alzheimers.

I feel your pain...a few times a day!!
That charcuterie board looks amazing!

 

[pkondz]

It actually is. Yeppers!

Huh! I know I've certainly never experienced that!

Mine has bee pretty low key; but I'm making up for it in packing and getting ready to move (temporarily).

Yeah, that would do it all right.

You asked how it was I was "moving" to Tucson. Bowling Green will be my permanent home base (and tax home), but about half the year for the foreseeable future, I'll be spending it on travel nursing assignments at various locations. No solid plan and I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.

Ah. I did see that you posted you were going to be there only from January to May (I think?)

I think those little signs are pretty amusing when you're stuck in line.

I've never done the standby line, so I haven't seen them.

Oh come on. Now you're just pointing out the ridiculous absurdities.

Disney is great at disguising stuff. Who knows what's in that bowl, really.

Hidden microphones and cameras.

Tofu and tasty at that! Crispy on the outside and lightly spicy in flavor. I really like it.

Huh! I'd try that.

Honestly? So-so. I am not a "creamy" dessert kind of gal. This was a mousse like stuff and not my cup of tea. I had to do it once to say I had.

Hmmm... Not exactly a glowing endorsement, but I need to consider your tastes too.

I cannot lie.

It's in my favorite property bathroom- the one as you enter Pandora on the right. Always quiet and nicely decorated.

Then I'm not overly likely to see that!

No, that wasn't the case with me. It was hard to remember to add extra time, wait in line (for sometimes up to an hour!) extra, etc....

An hour?!?!?
Was that for a bus?

I never experienced that more acutely than when trying to learn a foreign language.

Oh! I can certainly see that.

I was thoroughly exhausted by the early evening and we'd often be in bed by 8 or before.

Totally get it. Brain drain is a real thing.

I really hope you get to spend more time in the lovely desert!!

Maybe some day.

She just had a funny way of "organizing" her stuff and in the end became very disorganized.

Love how you put "organizing" in quotes.

I will have to respectfully disagree. There is a time and a place for everything, as Susan said. Disney is not the place. I would assume it was a total package that warranted her removal.

And I'll have to disagree with your disagreement. Standards and mores change. It wasn't that long ago that you'd see scenes like this:

Where a woman's bathing suit had to be no more than so many inches above the knee. Scandalous!
(And police were utilized as beach enforcement.)

I don't think you'd want to wear this on a hot day at the beach?


No? Well, you certainly shouldn't wear this:


Bare arms! Can you imagine?

Where do you draw the line? It's always a moving target. When bikinis came along, they faced possible bans in several countries.
So what you might consider inappropriate for time and location, another would consider perfectly appropriate.

 

[Wood Nymph]

While I took shockingly few photos, it appears I spent time enjoying the chimps having a bit of their own playtime.

The gorillas are always fun to watch, especially since they seem to keep having babies.

Enjoyed the entire ride to myself!

This is the best time to take pictures.

In hindsight another thing I came to realize and appreciate was how exhausting simply having to USE a scooter was. I was frustrated at how much extra time everything took and it was exhausting having to constantly think about where you are and how you need to get from Point A to Point B.

I never would have thought that it would be tiring to use an ECV, but it makes total sense, especially when you aren't used to it.

The room we had in the Casitas section was just lovely.

It looks like a lovely resort. I was supposed to stay at CSR with my sister last January but she got a free upgrade to GF, instead. No one could turn that down.

I was treated to the very 'family-friendly' scene of one extraordinarily drunk 20-something who wore a string between her buttcheeks and not much else and was protesting loudly about getting escorted offstage.

Were they taking her out because of her attire or because she was drunk?

our most exquisite Charcuterie

It looks amazing.

 

[franandaj]

Forgive me if this is a double reply. I think I quoted this post on my phone days or weeks ago. The answers in my mind sounded familiar but I didn't see me having posted, so I'm guessing that I quoted them all and then they got lost.

OK never mind it was a double post, but I think you missed my replies on Page 19.....or I didn't see your replies....

 

[franandaj]

King of the Beasts with his pride,
Animatronic? You decide.

Looks pretty Animatronic to me!

Time to make tracks on this TR as I’m now not one, but pretty soon two, Disney trips behind.

Well that's OK, I completely understand being behind.....

Sorry for the brevity, but, Christmas. Moving on…..

Yay! That will make it easier to catch up!

Lunch time!!

That looks like an odd lunch!

It appears Marcia had joined me by now...

​

Satuli Canteen?

Know what? In hindsight another thing I came to realize and appreciate was how exhausting simply having to USE a scooter was. I was frustrated at how much extra time everything took and it was exhausting having to constantly think about where you are and how you need to get from Point A to Point B.

Really? I find it so much easier in the long run. Then again we have been using them so long in the parks we know where all the "ups" and the "downs" are and which ways we can't go because of stairs and the like.

I have never in my life met someone who loses stuff more often than I do. I am not joking one little bit when I say that every single time we were ready to head out or go anywhere she had to look for something that she’d misplaced.

Wow! That's a lot of lost stuff!

I don’t want to see your bare hiney, let alone any of my grandkids that might be there. Perhaps I’m a prude. #prudeproud

No, I don't want to see someone else's hiney poolside either!

Journey Across the Board. Made by a furloughed CM (his story is in that link) every charcuterie is custom made and unique. It was as beautiful as it was generous and delicious. I’d brought some fancy crackers to add some crunch, but of course, forgot to bring them to the pool for the occasion I’d packed them for.

Which one did you end up getting? Most of them looked really big, and the one you got was fairly small compared to some of those pictures. Even the "date night" one looked bigger than what you had, or so it appeared. I would have a hard time paying those prices as I make a pretty mean Charcuterie board with very little money. Then again I have a car and Trader Joe's nearby....at Disney, not so much.

I didn’t need dinner as the cheeses and meats and fruits were more than ample for a meal. We headed back to the room to sleep and that was the end of day 6.

I'm the same way too. When I have Charcuterie, it usually IS dinner.

OK! I think I'm caught up....on this one.....

 

[amazingact21]

I'm here for my obligatory once every fifteen updates or so replies. Hope you're doing well. I saw your tornado pictures on social and it broke my heart. So many families devastated. And right before the holidays too. But I'm glad you got internet back!


Navigating around a pool in a scooter sounds unbelievably stressful. Between lounge chairs everywhere and kids running in all directions and towels and shoes on the ground...I think even if there were chairs available, the pool bar was the apt choice.

The charcuterie board looks wonderful! Much better than the ones I've seen at Disney restaurants, too. Munching on that while soaking up the sights of a Disney resort and chatting with a friend sounds lovely.

 

[Steppesister]

I realize I’m so delinquent here it’s not even funny. And here I am on another trip.

Rather than set myself up for sure failure I’ve decided to just do a daily photo dump. But with a twist. Know how I like to do a scavenger hunt of sorts? I chose to work my way through the rainbow one color at a time. I’ve only thought through ad far as red. That’s ok. I’m on vacation.

Today was a really nice day at EPCOT, with slow strolling, a nice lunch at Spice Road Table, and some good news. I said yes to a contract in Gilbert, Arizona. Major downside is that it’s a 2 1/2 hour drive from my RV. It’s good pay which somewhat eases the pain.

Now without further ado: I give you…RED!

 

[Steppesister]

Batch 2:

 

[Steppesister]

Batch 3:

 

[Wood Nymph]

I said yes to a contract in Gilbert, Arizona.

Congratulations on finding a job.
How long is the contract?

 

[Steppesister]

Congratulations on finding a job.
How long is the contract?

It’s a 13 week contract, Sue.

 

[pkondz]

I realize I’m so delinquent here it’s not even funny.

Oh! You said "not" funny.
In that case, I'll post this instead:

And here I am on another trip.

Hope you're having a good time.
(And from the photos... it looks like you are. )

Know how I like to do a scavenger hunt of sorts?

I’ve only thought through ad far as red. That’s ok. I’m on vacation.

I said yes to a contract in Gilbert, Arizona.

Good for you! Congrats.

Major downside is that it’s a 2 1/2 hour drive from my RV.

Whoa! That's a lot of driving on a daily basis.
I used to have a 2.5 hour drive, but I only had to do that every other day.

All the shots are good, but I pulled out my faves.

Like this one. Not sure why.

Really like that. Old Coke coolers are just cool.

Beautiful.

This one just tickles my fancy.

Love the taiko drummers.

Batch 3:

Holy smokes! Lots of red!

Wait... are your nails red too??

This is really clever. Super like this idea.

 

[Steppesister]

Pooped out early on ORANGE DAY because my incredibly rude neighbors were partying next door til midnight. The good news is that I was upgraded to a 2-bedroom suite. IOA was pretty magical- pun intended. I did some pretty great magic with my Luna Lovegood wand and CONQUERED Velocicoaster! This old lady still has it in her. (Super smooth track, btw.)

Now for some pool time. Because my knee deserves it.

I present to you: An Orange Menagerie…

 

[Steppesister]

Batch 2:

 

[pkondz]

Pooped out early on ORANGE DAY because my incredibly rude neighbors were partying next door til midnight.

Lovely.

Some people just have zero concept of where they are and others.

The good news is that I was upgraded to a 2-bedroom suite.

Score!

IOA was pretty magical- pun intended.

CONQUERED Velocicoaster!

You did! I'm surprised you'd try it. I think I would, but would be a little worried about my back.

I present to you: An Orange Menagerie…

Orange you glad you did that?

You're not supposed to eat it!!!

Wait.
Is that a chocolate wand??

mmmm... butterbeer...

Ah yes, the puking mountain.
If that doesn't make you want to eat there... anything else would.