DDA Chapter 20

[mommykds]

AnneMarie - beautiful pictures of Sophie. The last is my favorite.

Thank you!

She looks like a princess! That dress is beautiful, and so is she!

Thanks!!

 

[bethbuchall]

I need some travel advice, though I may not end up using it.

Laura's synchronized swim team may make Nationals in Gainesville, FL at the end of June-beginning of July. We'll be driving down to arrive on June 30th, and we're scheduled to leave July 4th.

It's killing me that I could be that close to WDW and not go, but I'm not sure that is the best choice. At most we could afford 3-4 days there at this time (both financially and time away). There are so many places that we could see between FL and here instead, and we'd arrive at WDW July 4th, so it would be crazy busy.

If you could go anywhere for a few days between NY and FL, where would you go? The kids have never really been to the beach (I know ), so I'm thinking a few days at the beach might be a good plan. Which beach?

Thanks to anyone who can offer some help! Unfortunately, if the team doesn't make Nationals, I won't be able to justify a big trip this summer. We are thinking of heading to Mystic, CT in that case.

ETA: Still not quite able to let go of WDW dreams...July 4th is on a Saturday, so most people probably get a Friday holiday. Do you think the crowds will still be horrible if we arrive at WDW on July 6th? I know that is always busy, but how busy?

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning.

I am dittoing this. Another RAINY MONDAY.

 

[PNO4TE]

I'm off to the zoo...um I mean...Aquatic Center

very cute, Deb.

 

[PNO4TE]

Tom - Angie has all my best thoughts. I went through something similar about 20 years ago. After all the tests came back as inconclusive they determined I had IBS. Let's hope this all has a simple explanation for Angie too.

 

[PNO4TE]

Tom - Leighanna's picture is adorable, stuffy and all!

Anne Marie - Sophie's photos are wonderful but the last one is my absolute favorite.

 

[Tammi67]

I need some travel advice, though I may not end up using it.

Laura's synchronized swim team may make Nationals in Gainesville, FL at the end of June-beginning of July. We'll be driving down to arrive on June 30th, and we're scheduled to leave July 4th.

It's killing me that I could be that close to WDW and not go, but I'm not sure that is the best choice. At most we could afford 3-4 days there at this time (both financially and time away). There are so many places that we could see between FL and here instead, and we'd arrive at WDW July 4th, so it would be crazy busy.

If you could go anywhere for a few days between NY and FL, where would you go? The kids have never really been to the beach (I know ), so I'm thinking a few days at the beach might be a good plan. Which beach?

Thanks to anyone who can offer some help! Unfortunately, if the team doesn't make Nationals, I won't be able to justify a big trip this summer. We are thinking of heading to Mystic, CT in that case.

ETA: Still not quite able to let go of WDW dreams...July 4th is on a Saturday, so most people probably get a Friday holiday. Do you think the crowds will still be horrible if we arrive at WDW on July 6th? I know that is always busy, but how busy?

If you are leaning toward the beach, there are many of us here with different favs. Elin and Terry prefer Nags Head, and I prefer Emerald Isle. It's on the Crystal Coast of NC. It doesn't get the publicity that Nags Head gets, because it isn't as commercialized. It is a small, residential island. It's family oriented. There is still plenty for us to do....putt putt, sailing, fishing, jet skiing, go karts, but nice and quiet and relaxing.

Aside from the beach, there is plenty of history to explore in Washington, DC, as well as Virginia. If you are looking for excitement, the is Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens in VA. I would recommend BG over KD.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Tom cute picture.

 

[PNO4TE]

I need some travel advice, though I may not end up using it.

I have been over July 4th and thought it was hot and crowded. I don't think I would go again, but that is just my opinion.

There are so many wonderful places between FL and NY! Many of the East Coast's best beaches can be found in that corridor. Then there is Savannah and Charleston. For history reasons alone a stop in the Williamsburg area would be good.

Oh, yeah... there is this location in Virginia, known as America's Most Historic City. You can visit George Washington's birthplace as well as other significant Revolutionary War sites. And if the Civil War is your "thing" there are battlefields galore in the area. You also have a couple of friends here. (Name that city!)

There is Washington, DC, with all it's glory and then comes Baltimore with their Inner Harbor and the Star-Spangled Banner tie-in.

Heading north from there you could hit Gettysburg and be a day's drive from home at that point.

Beth, as you see I could plan a driving itinerary for you leaving Gainesville and arriving back home that would hit everything you could ask for. But if WDW is what you want then none of it will make you as happy!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Ann Marie nice pictures.

 

[bethbuchall]

If you are leaning toward the beach, there are many of us here with different favs. Elin and Terry prefer Nags Head, and I prefer Emerald Isle. It's on the Crystal Coast of NC. It doesn't get the publicity that Nags Head gets, because it isn't as commercialized. It is a small, residential island. It's family oriented. There is still plenty for us to do....putt putt, sailing, fishing, jet skiing, go karts, but nice and quiet and relaxing.

Aside from the beach, there is plenty of history to explore in Washington, DC, as well as Virginia. If you are looking for excitement, the is Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens in VA. I would recommend BG over KD.

Thanks, Tammi! I will take a look at those beaches. I was also considering DC and/or Williamsburg, VA. We haven't been to DC since Miles was about a year or two old, so 8-9 years. Matthew went to Williamsburg when he was in 7th grade with his school orchestra, but my other two haven't been. BUT those two areas are so much closer to home that I could probably sneak in a quick trip if I find a job that actually pays.

I have been looking at Florida beaches a little. Anyone know anything about Amelia Island?

 

[mommykds]

Anne Marie - Sophie's photos are wonderful but the last one is my absolute favorite.

Thanks!

Ann Marie nice pictures.

Thanks!

 

[PNO4TE]

I have been looking at Florida beaches a little. Anyone know anything about Amelia Island?

I have not been to Amelia Island but have friends who love it there. I will say, that it is similar to the islands off the coast of Georgia (Jekyll is one example) where we have been. The topography of the off-shore area is such that it really cuts down the size of the waves. We found it to be more like a lake than the ocean! Again, a place we have been, but would not make a return visit.

 

[bethbuchall]

I have been over July 4th and thought it was hot and crowded. I don't think I would go again, but that is just my opinion.

There are so many wonderful places between FL and NY! Many of the East Coast's best beaches can be found in that corridor. Then there is Savannah and Charleston. For history reasons alone a stop in the Williamsburg area would be good.

Oh, yeah... there is this location in Virginia, known as America's Most Historic City. You can visit George Washington's birthplace as well as other significant Revolutionary War sites. And if the Civil War is your "thing" there are battlefields galore in the area. You also have a couple of friends here. (Name that city!)

There is Washington, DC, with all it's glory and then comes Baltimore with their Inner Harbor and the Star-Spangled Banner tie-in.

Heading north from there you could hit Gettysburg and be a day's drive from home at that point.

Beth, as you see I could plan a driving itinerary for you leaving Gainesville and arriving back home that would hit everything you could ask for. But if WDW is what you want then none of it will make you as happy!

Thanks, Elin! I really need to find a job that will pay me and leave me some time to travel. Maybe I should make that a goal. I am still hoping for the Teaching Assistant position that I put my name in for. I haven't heard anything, but it didn't close until the day before Spring Break, so I have some hope.

I really do want WDW, but I think logic and the chance to see some new sights will prevail. I wish that I could spend a couple weeks driving back to hit many places, but I can get a few in anyway.

 

[bethbuchall]

I have not been to Amelia Island but have friends who love it there. I will say, that it is similar to the islands off the coast of Georgia (Jekyll is one example) where we have been. The topography of the off-shore area is such that it really cuts down the size of the waves. We found it to be more like a lake than the ocean! Again, a place we have been, but would not make a return visit.

Thanks for the information! I hate to get too excited about this trip and then find out we're not going. Next weekend is the Association meet. I think they will place high enough there to go to Regionals in May. After that meet I will know if we're heading to Gainesville.

 

[bethbuchall]

They are building a new ice cream/sandwich/pizza place not too far from here. Both Matthew and Laura stopped in and left their names a few weeks ago. They called here to ask them to stop back in today or tomorrow to fill out applications. Maybe I should try, too. My first job was actually in an ice cream place.

 

[babytrees]

Bernadette-beautiful projects

Anne Marie-Sophie looks like a princess. So grown up

Tom-Angie will be in my thoughts all day.


Beth-I lived and worked a summer in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I loved the area. I would say lots of beaches are awesome on the way between FL and NY. D.C. itself is hot and sticky that time of the year, but you, unlike me, might be used to it.

 

[bethbuchall]

Bernadette-beautiful projects

Anne Marie-Sophie looks like a princess. So grown up

Tom-Angie will be in my thoughts all day.


Beth-I lived and worked a summer in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I loved the area. I would say lots of beaches are awesome on the way between FL and NY. D.C. itself is hot and sticky that time of the year, but you, unlike me, might be used to it.

I had a couple of job interviews in DC soon after I graduated college in the middle of July. I remember how sticky I felt in my suit, but it was the cost of living compared to the salary offers I received that had me back up north. I can handle hot and sticky for a bit, but DC is really only about 6-7 hours from here by car, so I'll probably go to a beach a bit further away. If I go anywhere at all.

If Matthew gets a job, he may not be able to travel (or want to) which would mean dh might not go either. I am pretty confident that Matthew wouldn't get into trouble while we're gone, and he is 18 now, but I'm still not sure if we want to leave him with an empty house and the temptation quite yet. If Laura gets a job, it will have to work around Nationals, but we might not have a lot of time around that.

 

[babytrees]

I can't even get hired by Target....I just don't know what to do anymore.

 

[bethbuchall]

I can't even get hired by Target....I just don't know what to do anymore.

I am so sorry, Theresa!

I will keep praying that something good comes your way quickly!