Coffee on the Verandah -The Last Slide, Recap & Souvies 5/29 - Link to Aulani TR 5/31

[eandesmom]

Somehow it seems that Vero was not really the best place for you - I hope this is going to change now that you finally get to the beach! First the bickering in the car, then you had to watch TV, work, the veranda issue and then having to hang out at the pool! And I consider all of them justified reasons for unhappiness in your case! No wonder that finally it all was too much!! But good to hear that you did not let it take you down too much and that you did something to resolve it!

Well I don't think you can blame any of it on Vero but it did catch up with me for sure! And yes, it gets better

However, we did get some lovely pool pictures in the meantime!

It is a lovely lovely pool!

Hey Cynthia, instead of pimping my ride, I'm pimping my new trip report: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3003243 Thought you'd want to see as I'm having them close my old one.

Pimp away!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if the difference in the railings has anything to do with hurricane protection. As WDW is ll inland they don't have to worry about storm surges from the ocean washing out balconies, if it's enclosed like the ones at vero beach then water can't get in to flood the unit as easily as if it had open slats.

From a code perspective that makes a ton of sense.

I would have been frustrated too! That sounds like a rough morning!! I'm glad you finally got to go to the beach!! LOL!

It wasn't the kind of morning you look forward to having on vacation, that's for sure!

I was very excited to head to the beach. It had been a year and a half since I'd had sand between my toes. Which is just WRONG on so many levels.

Been there... more times than I would like to admit!

I think we all have but definitely appreciate all the support and empathy. Even when you know it happens to everyone...it also isn't something you feel good about and wish you could redo somehow. Good thing is outside of Jeff, no one had a clue.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Cool Hand Luke

Oops, sorry....wrong thread.

Maybe Cynthia can give you a point? I'm not sure how many hers are worth.

 

[englishrose47]

I see the boys are running amuck here , which is good cuz they are leaving me alone !!Actually CO totally ignores me !!!

 

[eandesmom]

Oooh, girl! Have I ever had those sorts of days.

I'm of the opinion there has to be at least one melt down a trip or it's not an official trip.

Too true!

You should have seen the one I had on our last trip. I ended up walking out on my family in 1900 Park Fare after telling my family some not so nice words. Not one of my finer moments....at. all. To be fair, I had just put up with some pretty snarky, disrespectful, behaviors from my son and my DH sided with my boy and didn't stick up for me. He got some not so choice words via text message, with him sitting in the restaurant and me out back of the GF.
Really pretty out there, good place to have a pout. I was sitting at a table (having a good cry) watching the workmen bring out all the equipment from having put in brand new carpeting in the GF lobby.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away and go have a good cry.

I'm sure your day got better from there. [/COLOR]

It did!

All caught up again, Cynthia!

I can identify with the sibling bickering in the car only too well. It happens more than I care to admit on some of our trips. Even when they each get their own aisle in the van.

Yep, they just reach across the aisle, don't they!

I would have been ticked off about the beach thing, too.

I was really surprised Jeff wasn't being antsy. Usually he is FAR worse than I am so I think that was part of my problem. I expected him to be climbing the walls with me, and he wasn't.

Oh, and I agree about Macs versus PCs. There is just enough difference to frustrate me when I have to use a Mac.

So frsutrating. Case in point last night. My printer is "almost" out of yellow ink. So we just print in black and white, no issues right? I could NOT for the life of me figure out how to get the Mac setting, for the printer, to default to that so it wouldn't print Evan's speech for today. It really shouldn't take 10 minutes and then having to convert a pages document to pdf to email it to my work pc...just so we can print it.

Maybe Cynthia can give you a point? I'm not sure how many hers are worth.

I haven't done any slushie credits yet. Not sure if Glenn getting points for your contest, on my thread, is worthty of a slushie credit.

I see the boys are running amuck here , which is good cuz they are leaving me alone !!Actually CO totally ignores me !!!

You'll have to get out your wooden spoon!

 

[eandesmom]

Jeff and Kendall made their way up from the beach while I got the boys out of the pool. As you might imagine, the latter wasn't exactly quick.

Finally, all items gathered up and mugs refilled we headed to the beach.

Just past the gate, there is a rental stand. I love the beach. However, I do not love sand on everything! Here you could get all kinds of things to make yourselves more comfortable, or to play in the surf. DVC members got a discount, the DVC pricing is below (with the non DVC being the member cost + “save” amount).

* Beach Chairs (daily rental) Member Cost: $7 each[save $2]
* Beach Umbrellas (daily rental) Member Cost: $10 each[save $2]
* Cabanas (daily rental) Member Cost: $12 each[save $3]
* Two Lounge Chairs & One Umbrella (daily rental) Member Cost: $28 each[save $8]
* Body Boards (daily rental) Member Cost: $9 each[save $3]
* Hobie Cats (1-hour rental) Member Cost: $55 each[save $5]
* Kayaks (1-hour rental) Member Cost: $20 each[save $5]
* Wave Runners (1/2-hour rental) Member Cost: $65 each[save $5]
​

I had planned on getting the two lounge chair umbrella combo, figuring that most would be in the sand or water at any given time and two would do it, and if seated, folks could always share if needed. I placed our "order" and we discussed where they would set them up for us. While the CM went to set us up, we wondered on down.

The view from the rental area.

Heading down, we saw our very first one of these

A marked turtle nest!

There must have been 50-100 such marked and protected nests all along the beach as you walked up and down.

First order of business?

Get wet!

So we left our chairs and headed in

As you can see, we were set up right in front of the rental area which made going back and forth to the room, easy.

Which was a good thing.

As we still needed to eat lunch! Cooled off, in more ways than one, I headed back up to the villa to make lunch.

I may have made myself an adult beverage at the same time.

Prep went quickly and allowed me to finish loading the dishwasher and start it, so we'd have a clean kitchen for the rest of the day. Soon I was back at the lounge chairs feeding the vultures.

I believe while I was gone, boogie boards and snorkels were tested, though I have no photographic evidence to prove it.

It was definitely lunch with a view! Check out all the turtle nests.

After lunch, I went for a little walk. Not too far, just getting a feel for the lay of the land. I mean, sand.

Eric decided to bury himself

It didn't work so well

So he got some help

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Someone else thought it looked like fun

Me? I couldn’t handle it. No way, no how.

Eric?

Here’s what he had to say about it

To each his own I guess.

Part of my angst in the morning had been based on the daily activity sheet. We’d looked at it the previous night and there were a couple of things that had appealed.

With our arrival at the actual beach not until after noon, we (I) didn’t have as much time down there as I’d have hoped. However it was quite warm, they’d swam in the pool, eaten lunch, swum in the ocean, buried one child and goofed around on the boogie board for close to 4 hours combined. It was now approaching 3pm. So I gave the kids a choice, go to the activity, or stay on the beach.

What did they choose?

Should we stay or should we go now?

 

[dizneeat]

Love the new updates, Cynthia. The beach looks soooooooo awesome! We need to get ourselves to Vero one day.

Now, what did you do? Going by what I would do ...... being lazy at the beach, but then there are kids to consider too.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I love the beach. However, I do not love sand on everything!

Yeah, it's hard to get one without the other.

As we still needed to eat lunch! Cooled off, in more ways than one, I headed back up to the villa to make lunch.

I may have made myself an adult beverage at the same time.

After the morning you had, I can see why.

I believe while I was gone, boogie boards and snorkels were tested, though I have no photographic evidence to prove it.

No pictures, didn't happen.

Eric decided to bury himself

Because, you know, what the heck.

Someone else thought it looked like fun

It's a lot more fun to do to somebody else.

What did they choose?

Archery?

 

[MEK]

I read your update this morning while I still had pictures.

First, it looks like a perfect beach day.

Second, one of the things I remember about Vero is, despite the expense, those beach chairs were SO comfortable. Best chaises every.

Third, nothing better than a short walk to lunch and an adult beverage.

Fourth, I think the boys vote for more beach time, although I could not see the planner very well (in my haste) so perhaps there was some cool stuff on there they had to do.

 

[Chilly]

I think its a bit cheeky that they charge to rent sun loungers on their beach, i'd say they should be free.

You sound like me, I can imagine me and DH having that arguement about the pool/beach.

They made a rookie mistake on burying E2, they should have dug a hole first!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Woo Hoo for finally making it down to the beach! You weren't kidding when you said there were marked turtle nests everywhere. The beach looks beautiful and it didn't look too terribly crowded either.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

good updates while i was away for the last few weeks.

gotta love beach vacations and relaxing

 

[Angies1274]

Yay! I'm so glad you made it to the beach! It sounds like the perfect afternoon!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey Cynthia!

It has been a couple of weeks since I was last able to sit down and read anything that wasn't a troubleshooting guide. Enjoyed the last sevral updates and happy to hear you finally got you some beach time!

Hope the rest of the day settled down for you. Have fun on your upcoming trip!

 

[rentayenta]

Love your beach photos. Feed the vultures? And tell me more about the turtle nests.....interesting. Did people pretty much leave the taped off areas alone?

Glad your day became sunny and bright. And a clean kitchen?

 

[Poolrat]

All caught up finally -

Oh yes with family a snit happens. Glad you got it out of the way early.
It is true men aren't mindreaders and as long as you can feel comfortable voicing your disappointment and feel understood while doing it all will be fixed.



for finally being on the

I think the kids stay put.

 

[emma212010]

Those beach pictures are reeeeaaaalllyyyy making me despise the chilly New England October weather! The water looks beautiful!

 

[glennbo123]

Wow, the beach looks a lot nicer (less seaweed-y) than when we were there. Timing is everything! It looked very inviting. How were the shells? Did the kids find any treasures?

Loved the "feed the vultures" comment.

Yeah, I don't need to be buried in sand at this point in my life either.

 

[glennbo123]

Oh yes with family a snit happens.

Snit happens!

 

[eandesmom]

Love the new updates, Cynthia. The beach looks soooooooo awesome! We need to get ourselves to Vero one day.

You do! I can't believe you haven't done it pre or post cruise. You must!

Now, what did you do? Going by what I would do ...... being lazy at the beach, but then there are kids to consider too.

Yes, many agendas to consider. Guess noted!

Yeah, it's hard to get one without the other.

Too true, the necessary evil of beaches.

After the morning you had, I can see why.

And if memory serves, it was quite tasty!

Archery?

Guess noted!

I read your update this morning while I still had pictures.

First, it looks like a perfect beach day.

It was, which is part of what made me so ansty. You never know when the rain will come and I wanted to maximize all sunny minutes!

Second, one of the things I remember about Vero is, despite the expense, those beach chairs were SO comfortable. Best chaises every.

Agreed, they were wonderful! Worth every penny honestly. though if we'd have been there early in the morning, it would have been a much better bang for the buck!

Third, nothing better than a short walk to lunch and an adult beverage.

Agreed! Nothing better than making lunch while drinking said adult beverage. Which if memory serves was mango/orange juice with some Captain Morgan's rum. I had a lot of juice on that trip since I'd given up soda, no more rum and cokes for me!

Fourth, I think the boys vote for more beach time, although I could not see the planner very well (in my haste) so perhaps there was some cool stuff on there they had to do.

Well it wasn't just the E's who were voting....

Guess noted!

I think its a bit cheeky that they charge to rent sun loungers on their beach, i'd say they should be free.

Agreed. Lots of folks bring their own and the canvas chairs are cheaper than the cushioned lounges. Although there is something quite decadent about having someone set up two cushioned loungers and an umbrella for you..and taking them down as well. I liked that part!

You sound like me, I can imagine me and DH having that arguement about the pool/beach.

I'm just glad we cleared it up. It wouldn't have resolved itself I know that much.

They made a rookie mistake on burying E2, they should have dug a hole first!

didn't think about that part.

Woo Hoo for finally making it down to the beach! You weren't kidding when you said there were marked turtle nests everywhere.

Crazy huh, it was amazing to see really. You would have no idea there were nests there had they not been marked.

The beach looks beautiful and it didn't look too terribly crowded either.

I'm fairly sure the resort was sold out but it is a lovely long beach and plenty of space to spread out so never felt crowded. Not deserted either but just a nice quiet busyness to it that felt perfect. Very "family"