Day Two
Wholl Stop the Rain?
Somewhere around 7:30am, Wednesday, Dec 22, we were all up-and-at-em. A quick continental breakfast in the lobby was the first item on the agenda. The kids scarfed down Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts and I had a bagel. Nothing spectacular on the menu there, noted the resident dining expert (DW). Quickly we were on the road again, but this time it was raining.
It seemed like forever driving down US 98 to Mobile in the incessant rain. But I can remember when the road was two lanes all the way instead of four like it is now almost the whole way, so I didnt complain. The drive through the tunnel in Mobile was the only respite from the rain and the long bridge across the bay was a challenge because the rain and the bay seemed to blend into one entity. The gray upon gray nearly hid the view of the battleship Alabama but it still stood out as its tall mainmast and massive guns stood proud guard over Mobile.
The rest of the drive to Haines City where my folks live 23 miles from the entrance to Magic Kingdom was basically a routine trip. Even the crossing of Escambia Bay at Pensacola via the temporarily repaired bridge was relatively simple. It took my friend nearly three hours back when traffic was routed one lane each on the north span. Now the south span has temporary steel grating in place of the old hurricane damaged deck but is limited to one lane eastbound. We managed to get across in only 17 minutes.
The rain stopped somewhere near Tallahassee and the traffic speeded up from its reckless pace of 70 mph in the rain to 80-85 mph in dry conditions. I usually set the cruise control at three miles per hour above the posted limit which made me look like a rolling roadblock to most of the drivers. Although I didnt see any angry gestures as cars sped past me, Im sure some may have been thinking less than pleasant thoughts. At least I drove in the right-hand lane which is better than some people Ive seen plodding down the highway.
To Grandmothers House We Go
As we neared Haines City, DD2 reminded me that we must stop to get doughnuts. This is a tradition we observe when first arriving. Well sit down and have doughnuts with Grandma and Grandpa even before unloading the van. With our doughnuts purchased, we soon turned into Sweetwater Golf and Tennis Club in Haines City. It was around 6:30pm. The loud barking of my mothers Yorkie heralded our arrival. The pampered pooch had been waiting outside, my step-father said, minutes after I had called to let them know we were within the city limits.
After all the hugs, kisses, handshakes, and doughnut munching, we unpacked only enough stuff (I never know what to call all trappings of travel DW keeps in the overnight bag) for the night. We had to leave in the morning for WDW, so there was no need to unload everything. Well, I did put my golf clubs in the garage.
Wholl Stop the Rain?
Somewhere around 7:30am, Wednesday, Dec 22, we were all up-and-at-em. A quick continental breakfast in the lobby was the first item on the agenda. The kids scarfed down Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts and I had a bagel. Nothing spectacular on the menu there, noted the resident dining expert (DW). Quickly we were on the road again, but this time it was raining.
It seemed like forever driving down US 98 to Mobile in the incessant rain. But I can remember when the road was two lanes all the way instead of four like it is now almost the whole way, so I didnt complain. The drive through the tunnel in Mobile was the only respite from the rain and the long bridge across the bay was a challenge because the rain and the bay seemed to blend into one entity. The gray upon gray nearly hid the view of the battleship Alabama but it still stood out as its tall mainmast and massive guns stood proud guard over Mobile.
The rest of the drive to Haines City where my folks live 23 miles from the entrance to Magic Kingdom was basically a routine trip. Even the crossing of Escambia Bay at Pensacola via the temporarily repaired bridge was relatively simple. It took my friend nearly three hours back when traffic was routed one lane each on the north span. Now the south span has temporary steel grating in place of the old hurricane damaged deck but is limited to one lane eastbound. We managed to get across in only 17 minutes.
The rain stopped somewhere near Tallahassee and the traffic speeded up from its reckless pace of 70 mph in the rain to 80-85 mph in dry conditions. I usually set the cruise control at three miles per hour above the posted limit which made me look like a rolling roadblock to most of the drivers. Although I didnt see any angry gestures as cars sped past me, Im sure some may have been thinking less than pleasant thoughts. At least I drove in the right-hand lane which is better than some people Ive seen plodding down the highway.
To Grandmothers House We Go
As we neared Haines City, DD2 reminded me that we must stop to get doughnuts. This is a tradition we observe when first arriving. Well sit down and have doughnuts with Grandma and Grandpa even before unloading the van. With our doughnuts purchased, we soon turned into Sweetwater Golf and Tennis Club in Haines City. It was around 6:30pm. The loud barking of my mothers Yorkie heralded our arrival. The pampered pooch had been waiting outside, my step-father said, minutes after I had called to let them know we were within the city limits.
After all the hugs, kisses, handshakes, and doughnut munching, we unpacked only enough stuff (I never know what to call all trappings of travel DW keeps in the overnight bag) for the night. We had to leave in the morning for WDW, so there was no need to unload everything. Well, I did put my golf clubs in the garage.
