Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[pkondz]

I seem to have bad luck with those kind of things so I avoid them if possible. One time I got a big bruise on my shoulder from the old Tomorrowland Stitch ride. I did ride it again after that but I made sure that I sat up very straight when the bars came down and then slouched a bit afterwards so they didn't hit me as hard when Stitch "jumped" on you.

I was one of the lucky ones
that never went on that ride.



Sorry you got bruised,
but glad you figured out
a solution.

For some reason I can't seem to hold my head as still as I need to on bigger coasters and I get knocked around and come off with a headache sometimes.

Not fun.
Hmmm... Ever done the coasters
at Universal?

I did want to try the lobster but being by myself, I couldn't carry both dishes and a bottle of water. So I started with the chicken with the intent of going back for the lobster. I was a bit too full from the chicken though and never made it back to try the lobster.

I get that.
But... next time,
if it's still there...

Try the lobster instead.

Hmmm, I've never actually gone in the store and looked at the case because it's always too crowded. From all the pictures I've seen, I just assumed that every item had caramel of some sort. I may have to take a closer look in the future.

 

[pkondz]

We were in building 22, overlooking the 6th hole of the Lake Buena Vista golf course.

Just curious...
Did you ever cut across the fairway
to get to Hospitality House?

I am enjoying your report - it is very well done!!

Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

YAY I'm here and it's only 28 pages in.

Right on time!
to the TR, Glenda!

I see it

I see it and those were the only 2 I saw

You saw one of the tougher ones.

OOOOHHHHHH thanks for thinking of me. I think Thumper is laughing cause you took a picture of Bambi's butt.

Could very well be.

I thought you weren't suppose to be bringing pot into the US.

Whoops!
My secret's out.

 

[vamassey1]

Well... it's on the list.

How far down?

You're the second person
that's mentioned pepper.
Interesting.
That's never occurred to me.

I'm another vote for pepper too!

I loved your weekend get-away. We use to camp when the oldest 2 were young due to DS being in Cub Scouts. Poor Danielle she missed out and has never been camping.

 

[pkondz]

How far down?

About 1,500 miles.



Okay! Okay!
It's pretty high on the list, actually.
At least we talk about it a lot
when we talk about places to visit.

I'm another vote for pepper too!

Okay!

I loved your weekend get-away. We use to camp when the oldest 2 were young due to DS being in Cub Scouts.

I never camped with my folks.
I had to join Scouts
(for one year)
before I got a chance.

Poor Danielle she missed out and has never been camping.

Don't you think you should
rectify that? Hmmmmm?

 

[vamassey1]

It's pretty high on the list, actually.
At least we talk about it a lot
when we talk about places to visit.

Good to hear.

I never camped with my folks.
I had to join Scouts
(for one year)
before I got a chance.

I didn't camp as a kid either. Did it for the first time with the Cub Scouts when DS was in grade school.

Don't you think you should
rectify that? Hmmmmm?

DH keeps saying he's going to take her. Of course we've gotten rid of all the cool camping stuff we had because it was so old.

 

[pkondz]

Good to hear.

Good to hear?
Or slightly disturbing to hear?

I didn't camp as a kid either. Did it for the first time with the Cub Scouts when DS was in grade school.

Interesting how we both
came to camping late,
but with the same organization.

DH keeps saying he's going to take her. Of course we've gotten rid of all the cool camping stuff we had because it was so old.

Oh, that’s too bad.
Take him to Cabela’s
and turn him loose.

 

[buzzrelly]

We pulled the kayaks up onto
some rocks and went ashore.

The weird thing was
(and I didn't find this out
until later) was that there
was cell reception out there...
but nowhere else where we stayed.
My only guess was there was a cell
tower somewhere and the relative
flat surface of the lake let the signals
carry further.

Seems like a lot of work just to find a place to watch the new season of Stranger Things

We roasted up some Smokeys
(Smoked sausage. Similar, but
thicker than a regular wiener)
and chowed down.

Yummy…your potato salad looks good

I don't know what happened to all those Rice Krispy treats you made though….smokeys, s'mores, egg salad, ice cream…no Rice Krispy treats

We got to the top of the hill
and I had Kay pose for a photo.

Pretty

I'd taken the same shot of Elle
when I'd last camped here with
her back in '14...

Also pretty

and both of them,
back in '05.

Aw…so sweet

(Okay... I ate 2 of the 6 she ordered.)

Adirondack burger anyone?

That's awesome!

That was our weekend get-away.

Sounds perfect

 

[lvcourtneyy]

A few weeks ago, Kay,
my youngest DD(18),
asked if we could go
camping for a couple days
at the lake we like to frequent.

Aw that's sweet. At 18, the thought of going anywhere with my parents made me cringe.

Now, the thought of camping still makes me cringe but I do appreciate my parents much more.

On Saturday, I spent some time
cooking up some Rice Krispie squares,
potato salad and chopping veggies.
A bit of shopping for a few other
necessities (i.e. chips) and we were set.

Yum. Chips are always a necessity in my book.

We didn't have a list of priorities.

Great feeling.

And it does have flora and fauna.
See? I count at least three trees,
(one of which was dead... details)
and I saw at least one spider.
So... totally justified.

One spider too many for me.

Gorgeous!

Aw they were so small. Nice to recreate the photo now.

Yussss….

Yup that's me

Ice creamed (and perogeed) up,
we headed home.

Oo never heard perogeed as a verb before. Great way to be though!

Sounds like a great getaway!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

A few weeks ago, Kay,
my youngest DD(18),
asked if we could go
camping for a couple days
at the lake we like to frequent.

Excellent argument. Let's go!

A bit of shopping for a few other
necessities (i.e. chips) and we were set.

Salty snacks are a road trip essential.

Gorgeous day with a low of 70F/21C
and later it warmed up nicely to a
sunny 84F/29C.
Since we rarely have humid days,
those temps are just this side of perfect.
No... they're perfect.

That just sounds fantastic.

We didn't have a list of priorities.

How often do you get to say that?

This is a vast island a few hundred
yards offshore that harbours a
huge quantity of flora and fauna.

The island has fairy godmothers? Wow!

Sorry for the not-so-great photos,
I was shooting with my phone
through a waterproof phone pouch.

We'll excuse it this once. Don't let it happen again.

And it does have flora and fauna.
See? I count at least three trees,
(one of which was dead... details)
and I saw at least one spider.
So... totally justified.

Totally worth it.

We pulled the kayaks up onto
some rocks and went ashore.

It's an invasion! Cool! I hope you planted a flag and claimed the island for your new independent nation.

But this was the first time I'd ever
set foot on it.
Nevertheless, it didn't take very long
to explore every nook and cranny.
(Official count, 2 nooks, 3 crannies.)

A most thorough exploration.

We paddled around for about 2 hours.
I wasn't keeping close track of time.
We stopped when we felt like it
and paddled when we felt like that.
It was a pretty chill afternoon.

You could do much worse.

Mine is the itty-bitty one
on the right.
I'm used to it and actually
prefer it.

That must be a trick of the angle of the photo, because it doesn't look more than 2 feet long.

(Which is what one does
with firewood.
One can also throw it at people
who make noise in the middle
of the night, but then one
goes to jail, no matter how justified.)

Especially if it's already on fire.

Nothing like open air and cooking
over an open flame to make a meal
taste great!

Stealing @Terra Nova guy 's line again: Meat + Fire = best recipe ever.

Aww...

Nice to have a favorite spot to keep returning to.

And... yes. I did ask Kay
if she wanted s'more.
(She did want, and she ate s'more.)

Nice.

Unfortunately, proximity to the beach
means proximity to others, means
more noise.
I threw firewood at them.
They did eventually quiet down, but...

Their tents burned down.

We played a round of mini-golf
under threatening skies,
where I trounced her 50-54.

I don't have any photos.
But I won. That's all that matters.

We continued the drive home,
stopping about the halfway mark
at Sandy's Snack Shack for some
ice cream.
Kay somehow found the room
for some perogies as well.
I was still full from lunch, so passed.
(Okay... I ate 2 of the 6 she ordered.)

Ice cream and pierogies. Breakfast of champions.

But after my nightmare drive
from Asheville, NC to Knoxville, TN
a couple of years ago...

Nothing fazes me anymore.

I believe you! I remember that.

That was our weekend get-away.

Looks like a great time!

 

[pkondz]

Seems like a lot of work just to find a place to watch the new season of Stranger Things

So you're saying the show's not worth it?

Yummy…your potato salad looks good

It's because it's excellent.

I don't know what happened to all those Rice Krispy treats you made though….smokeys, s'mores, egg salad, ice cream…no Rice Krispy treats

Oh, no need to worry.
They did not survive the trip.

Pretty

Also pretty

Yes they are!

Aw…so sweet

I had no idea I would
be shooting them later
in life from there.

That's awesome!

Fun little place.

Sounds perfect

Not too shabby.

 

[pkondz]

Aw that's sweet. At 18, the thought of going anywhere with my parents made me cringe.

She's a pretty great kid.

Now, the thought of camping still makes me cringe but I do appreciate my parents much more.

Yum. Chips are always a necessity in my book.

Absolutely!
Camping? Sans chips?
Perish the thought!!

Great feeling.

One spider too many for me.

This is not the island for you.
I'm thinking outside may not
be for you!

Gorgeous!

The scenery or the kid?
Either way...

Aw they were so small. Nice to recreate the photo now.

I had no idea that was going
to be a thing when I took that.

Man, those were good.
mmmmm….

Yup that's me

Me too!

Sounds like a great getaway!

It was!

 

[pkondz]

Excellent argument. Let's go!

We did!

Salty snacks are a road trip essential.

This is an absolute must. Absolutely. Must.

That just sounds fantastic.

Kinda was.

How often do you get to say that?

First time for everything.

The island has fairy godmothers? Wow!

And we had merry weather, so...
all three flying chicks represented.

We'll excuse it this once. Don't let it happen again.

Next time I'll bring the big camera.
If it falls in the lake, so be it.
(Did I mention the lake is
365 feet deep?
You drop something... It's gone.)

Totally worth it.

Land is always worth it.
That's what the real estate
tycoons tell me.

It's an invasion! Cool! I hope you planted a flag and claimed the island for your new independent nation.

I peed on a rock.
Does that count?

A most thorough exploration.

No stone unturned.
Except they were too big...
hence left unturned.

You could do much worse.

That must be a trick of the angle of the photo, because it doesn't look more than 2 feet long.

That's about right.
I sleep curled in a tight ball.

Especially if it's already on fire.

Nice touch.

Stealing @Terra Nova guy 's line again: Meat + Fire = best recipe ever.

Aww...

Nice to have a favorite spot to keep returning to.

Had no idea that would happen
when I took that photo.

Their tents burned down.

Serves them right!

Ice cream and pierogies. Breakfast of champions.

Can't ask for much more.

I believe you! I remember that.

<shudder>
I really am lucky to be alive.
Not exaggerating.

Looks like a great time!

It was!

 

[Pluto0809]

This shot, from the water,
gives you an idea of the
surrounding area.

Beautiful!

I may have exaggerated a bit
when I said it was "vast".

Mine is the itty-bitty one
on the right.
I'm used to it and actually
prefer it.

Nope, nope, nopity nope. Looks a bit too confined for me. I'll take the green on thanks. Actually, scratch that, I'll be at the nearest hotel. That's my idea of camping!

Time to break out the smores!

Not a fan, don't like graham crackers or marshmallow. I was always the kid sitting there eating one of the Hershey bars while everyone else had s'mores.

Adirondack burger anyone?

Those small places always have the best food! I bet the burgers are awesome.

Ever done the coasters
at Universal?

Yep! Wasn't a fan of Rip Ride Rocket, just didn't like the lift hill and it was way too rough for me. I liked the Hulk a whole lot better, especially the awesome launch. But I still came off feeling a little beat up. I would ride that one again though.

 

[pkondz]

Beautiful!

It's a really nice area.

Nope, nope, nopity nope. Looks a bit too confined for me. I'll take the green on thanks. Actually, scratch that, I'll be at the nearest hotel. That's my idea of camping!

Will admit that it's fine
for a night or two...
But then I want a hotel
room with a shower.
Better yet, a jacuzzi tub.

Not a fan, don't like graham crackers or marshmallow. I was always the kid sitting there eating one of the Hershey bars while everyone else had s'mores.

I wasn't a fan either...
Until this weekend.
I always found it too messy.
But I didn't over-toast the
marshmallow and it was
soooo good!

Those small places always have the best food! I bet the burgers are awesome.

No idea!
It's always been a place we've
stopped only for ice cream.
Pretty sure this was the first time
anyone in our family has had
something other than ice cream.

Yep! Wasn't a fan of Rip Ride Rocket, just didn't like the lift hill and it was way too rough for me. I liked the Hulk a whole lot better, especially the awesome launch. But I still came off feeling a little beat up. I would ride that one again though.

Hmmm...
Wait until my review of Hulk.
Might change your mind.
Or save your head.

 

[vamassey1]

Good to hear?
Or slightly disturbing to hear?

Interesting how we both
came to camping late,
but with the same organization.

Yes it is.

My Dad didn't take us girls camping but he did take us fishing and to the hunting camp. One particular hunting was pretty rough, no indoor plumbing just an out house and no heat.

Oh, that’s too bad.
Take him to Cabela’s
and turn him loose.

He doesn't need any encouragement.

 

[pkondz]

My Dad didn't take us girls camping but he did take us fishing and to the hunting camp. One particular hunting was pretty rough, no indoor plumbing just an out house and no heat.

My Dad never camped in his life. His idea of fishing was hitting a fish with a club.
Have been to a couple of places with only an out house, though.

He doesn't need any encouragement.

Your unfortunate lack of
camping equipment says otherwise.

 

[vamassey1]

My Dad never camped in his life.

My Dad was in the army and did his fair share of sleeping in tents. He was in Germany during the Cold War. He didn't talk much about it but he did tell us about sleeping under the snow to stay warm.

Have been to a couple of places with only an out house, though.

But were they within miles of a high security state penitentiary? The first time we stayed at this hunting camp was right after I saw "Helter Skelter". I was so scared the prisoners were going to escape and come get us.

 

[pkondz]

My Dad was in the army and did his fair share of sleeping in tents. He was in Germany during the Cold War.

My Dad was in Germany during the War.
He was too young to participate
(thank goodness),
but his dad was in WWI & WWII.

Hmmm... so I guess he was there
during some of the cold war, too?

He didn't talk much about it but he did tell us about sleeping under the snow to stay warm.

My Dad talked about fleeing
the Russians through deep snow.

But were they within miles of a high security state penitentiary?

You win (win?)
on that one!

The first time we stayed at this hunting camp was right after I saw "Helter Skelter". I was so scared the prisoners were going to escape and come get us.

Did they? It would explain so much.



Kidding! Kidding!
Sorry! I had to go there!

 

[vamassey1]

My Dad was in Germany during the War.
He was too young to participate
(thank goodness),
but his dad was in WWI & WWII.

Your grandfather was part of "the greatest generation".

Hmmm... so I guess he was there
during some of the cold war, too?

I would think so. The Cold War started after WWII.

My Dad talked about fleeing
the Russians through deep snow.

Yikes!

Did they? It would explain so much.

Yes prisoners did escape but luckily none did while we were there.

Kidding! Kidding!
Sorry! I had to go there!

I would expect nothing less.