nebo
<font color=red>sharkbait<br><font color=teal>Uh o
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2006
- Messages
- 2,524
Hmm, let's see, ah yes, Murfreesboro, the Safari Inn.
We left that morning at dawn and couldn't get out of the Emerald City fast enough.
I think I slept with my clothes on, didn't even want to open the suitcase afraid a weasel or something might crawl in.
Diane had placed a wake up call and at 5:30 there was a guy banging on our door yelling, "Hey, wake up in there!"
Ok, made that up, and I think the phone did ring but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Stitch on the other end.
I was overtired having barely slept last night due to the long drive. (s)?
i never sleep well after that kind of drive, I feel like I'm still moving kind of like when you spend a day on a boat and still feel it at night.
That and the fact I sat on the edge of the bed half the night with a tire iron ready to smack whatever crawled out from under the bed.
Back on rt. 24 it wasn't long before we started climbing, it happens so gradually at first you barely notice it.
I asked Diane how she was feeling, meaning, are we going to adher to Bush's plan again to leave no rest area behind, but she said she was good.
The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, unfortunately, almost right in front of me at times.
The sky looks mixed, I can't tell if it's partly sunny or partly cloudy.
Actually, this was a great time to leave, it was very pretty out with the morning fog adding a bit of surrealism.
Except occasionally when there would be a glob of fog right in the middle of the road, it was like driving through a smoke screen.
And up we go.
Now, let me descibe this.
There is a stretch of road after you reach the top that when they say "It's all downhill from here", they really mean it.
Both sides of the highway are equipped with "runaway truck" ramps, and from what I've heard, they are not neglected!
I have gone about 6 miles without ever once having to touch the gas pedal, the descent is that steep. The trick is how to time your speed and gears just right so you don't end up riding the brake all the way down and looking like a weenie.
Better to fly off the edge than look like a weenie.
Wouldn't you know it, just a little before it was time for the adrenaline rush, a light rain started.
The sun is sitting right in front of the bumper but apparently there must be a dark cloud right over us.
I'm now just a tad more alert, and if I am.... yep, Smidgy isn't quite in the fetal position yet, but one hand is gripping the console and the other is in a fist.
So I try for a little levity:
"Diane, did you bring my bathroom bag?" "Would you check in the back to make sure it's there?"
I thought the timing was funny but I guess I'm the only one, I can't tell you her reply.
Dis I learn?
What do you think?
So here's the facts:
This is our 17th trip,
14th time driving down to Disney. ]
We've only flown 3 times but given a choice Smidgy would rather fly.
She hates driving.
She hates driving fast.
She hates driving fast across the mountains.
She hates driving fast across the mountains, blinded by the sun.
She hates driving fast across the mountains, blinded by the sun through the fog.
and......
She hates driving fast across the mountains,blinded by the sun through the fog in a rain shower.
whew!
Did I mention that a week before we left I told her these tires had just about had it?
So you think that after all these trips, I would know better when we are On Top of Ol' Smoky and keep my mouth shut.
(note to self; when we're flying past the trucks on the downside, never, ever, yell "WHEEEEEE!")
Hey, it could have been worse, at least I didn't yell, "Look Ma, no hands!"
And on we drove.
In silence.
When we picked up I-75, we stopped for gas just inside Georgia at a great service mart.
I walked out of there with coffee, a corn dog and a torpedo.
Yeah, now I'm ready to drive
with my knees!
While sitting on my bathroom bag.
"As God is my witness, I will never forget my bathroom bag again!!"
We hit Atlanta, our least favorite city to go through about nine on this saturday morning. I was looking forward to just breezing through the godforsaken city for once when it wasn't rush hour, but no luck.
It was still brutal. Don't know where everyone was going but it still wasn't a nice drive.
Finally in southern Georgia you get the sign that says "ROAD CONSTRUCTION NEXT 24 YEARS.
Pretty sure that's what it said cuz they've been working on this stretch since the first time I drove down in '92.
At the Florida welcome center, my back and tailbone we're killing me, the second day is always worse, and much more quickly, that's why we always try to go as far as we can the first day.
But for some reason we didn't get very far yesterday, gee, I wonder why?
As Smidgy was gathering the hotel discount books, I was saying hello to my little friends.
Original plan was to get to Kissimmee, but that was then, this is now.
Problem was, as Diane was reading off the possibles to me, they were'nt cheap.
Lake City, Ocala, Gainsville, nothing cheap.
But lot's of possibles in Kissimmee.
Since the pills were helping, I finally decided we could make the big Kiss.
"Steve, remember the Motel 6 we stayed at in April for 19 bucks? Well it's listed in here again, only now it's 23 bucks."
"Well, forget that then."
"Only joking, call them."
What are the odds they'll have a 23 dollar room available at the back door of Disney in July?
Apparently very good, and ground floor, smoking to boot!
Smidgy told them we're about 3 hours out and they said ok.
When we pulled up I just about had to be poured out of the seat. I had just turned a 1280 mile trip into a 1610 mile fiasco with the turnaround.
Let me say this.
The rooms here are very small, not even the usual table and two chairs crammed in a corner.
But they are CLEAN! and that's all we cared about.
It's right on 192, across the street from Old Town, the carnival tourist trap and less then a mile from World Drive.
After checking in, the whole cost with tax came to 26 something, we went and enjoyed a drink at a table by the pool.
And I'm looking for lizards.
Can't find one anywhere. THis is important to me for some reason.
Our last trip in April I call the no lizard trip.
I don't understand it, Disney used to be crawling with those little green anoles, but in 11 days in Disney, I only saw 2 the whole time.
Then Diane went looking for ice, and saw this open type box with big local coupon books inside.
And sitting right on the top brochure is a lizard.
Or so she says.
I was shot, so she walked over to the Mcdonalds in the front and we ate dinner in the room.
By the way, this is our baby that has gotten us safely to Disney 11 times now. Picture taken from a previous trip when we stopped in St. Augustine on the way down.
Slept a little later next morning, and took 192 east til we picked up the turnpike agian.
again.
damn manhattans
They say it's only an hour and a half from DisneyWorld to Vero Beach but it's closer to 2.
Pulled in around 10:30 and left the car right in front of the main lobby in the carport. But we had to leave the keys with this woman at this big desk out front.
I thought of taking the bathroom bag in with me.
We had requested a room in the main building, an "Inn" room, facing the pool. Only one side of this building faces the pool and "Ocean view" was extra.
Our check in clerk was terrific. She said, "You wanted a room facing the pool and by golly you're gonna get it!"
And we'll call you when the room is ready.
After retrieving the keys it was time to find a parking spot.
Very strange here, underground parking, my nemesis.
Pulling out of the bright sunlight into a dark parking garage is something I don't do well.
I couldn't see crap. Smidgy offered to drive here but I wouldn't let her take the glory.
Then we gathered stuffage we need to spend the time by the pool.
Books-check
suits-check
sunglasses-check
vikes-check
Yeah, I was still really sore, even from this "short" drive today.
From the garage we took an elevator right up into the lobby, really convenient, and just as we walked outside on this porch that led to a walkway to the pool, her cell phone rings.
"What? Already? " she exclaimed.
"But I can't see who's calling, it says no service in this area."
So she walked back on the porch and tried again. Nope, nothing.
I had an idea.
"Hey, why don't you just stick your head back in the lobby and yell out, "Did someone just call me?"
And that's pretty much what she did.
Our room was ready.
I think they wait to see you come through with all the pool gear and change of clothes before they'll give you your room.
with that, adios for tonight.
We left that morning at dawn and couldn't get out of the Emerald City fast enough.
I think I slept with my clothes on, didn't even want to open the suitcase afraid a weasel or something might crawl in.
Diane had placed a wake up call and at 5:30 there was a guy banging on our door yelling, "Hey, wake up in there!"
Ok, made that up, and I think the phone did ring but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Stitch on the other end.
I was overtired having barely slept last night due to the long drive. (s)?
i never sleep well after that kind of drive, I feel like I'm still moving kind of like when you spend a day on a boat and still feel it at night.
That and the fact I sat on the edge of the bed half the night with a tire iron ready to smack whatever crawled out from under the bed.
Back on rt. 24 it wasn't long before we started climbing, it happens so gradually at first you barely notice it.
I asked Diane how she was feeling, meaning, are we going to adher to Bush's plan again to leave no rest area behind, but she said she was good.
The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, unfortunately, almost right in front of me at times.
The sky looks mixed, I can't tell if it's partly sunny or partly cloudy.
Actually, this was a great time to leave, it was very pretty out with the morning fog adding a bit of surrealism.
Except occasionally when there would be a glob of fog right in the middle of the road, it was like driving through a smoke screen.
And up we go.
Now, let me descibe this.
There is a stretch of road after you reach the top that when they say "It's all downhill from here", they really mean it.
Both sides of the highway are equipped with "runaway truck" ramps, and from what I've heard, they are not neglected!
I have gone about 6 miles without ever once having to touch the gas pedal, the descent is that steep. The trick is how to time your speed and gears just right so you don't end up riding the brake all the way down and looking like a weenie.
Better to fly off the edge than look like a weenie.
Wouldn't you know it, just a little before it was time for the adrenaline rush, a light rain started.
The sun is sitting right in front of the bumper but apparently there must be a dark cloud right over us.
I'm now just a tad more alert, and if I am.... yep, Smidgy isn't quite in the fetal position yet, but one hand is gripping the console and the other is in a fist.
So I try for a little levity:
"Diane, did you bring my bathroom bag?" "Would you check in the back to make sure it's there?"
I thought the timing was funny but I guess I'm the only one, I can't tell you her reply.
Dis I learn?
What do you think?
So here's the facts:
This is our 17th trip,
14th time driving down to Disney. ]
We've only flown 3 times but given a choice Smidgy would rather fly.
She hates driving.
She hates driving fast.
She hates driving fast across the mountains.
She hates driving fast across the mountains, blinded by the sun.
She hates driving fast across the mountains, blinded by the sun through the fog.
and......
She hates driving fast across the mountains,blinded by the sun through the fog in a rain shower.
whew!
Did I mention that a week before we left I told her these tires had just about had it?
So you think that after all these trips, I would know better when we are On Top of Ol' Smoky and keep my mouth shut.
(note to self; when we're flying past the trucks on the downside, never, ever, yell "WHEEEEEE!")
Hey, it could have been worse, at least I didn't yell, "Look Ma, no hands!"
And on we drove.
In silence.
When we picked up I-75, we stopped for gas just inside Georgia at a great service mart.
I walked out of there with coffee, a corn dog and a torpedo.
Yeah, now I'm ready to drive
with my knees!
While sitting on my bathroom bag.
"As God is my witness, I will never forget my bathroom bag again!!"
We hit Atlanta, our least favorite city to go through about nine on this saturday morning. I was looking forward to just breezing through the godforsaken city for once when it wasn't rush hour, but no luck.
It was still brutal. Don't know where everyone was going but it still wasn't a nice drive.
Finally in southern Georgia you get the sign that says "ROAD CONSTRUCTION NEXT 24 YEARS.
Pretty sure that's what it said cuz they've been working on this stretch since the first time I drove down in '92.
At the Florida welcome center, my back and tailbone we're killing me, the second day is always worse, and much more quickly, that's why we always try to go as far as we can the first day.
But for some reason we didn't get very far yesterday, gee, I wonder why?
As Smidgy was gathering the hotel discount books, I was saying hello to my little friends.
Original plan was to get to Kissimmee, but that was then, this is now.
Problem was, as Diane was reading off the possibles to me, they were'nt cheap.
Lake City, Ocala, Gainsville, nothing cheap.
But lot's of possibles in Kissimmee.
Since the pills were helping, I finally decided we could make the big Kiss.
"Steve, remember the Motel 6 we stayed at in April for 19 bucks? Well it's listed in here again, only now it's 23 bucks."
"Well, forget that then."
"Only joking, call them."
What are the odds they'll have a 23 dollar room available at the back door of Disney in July?
Apparently very good, and ground floor, smoking to boot!
Smidgy told them we're about 3 hours out and they said ok.
When we pulled up I just about had to be poured out of the seat. I had just turned a 1280 mile trip into a 1610 mile fiasco with the turnaround.
Let me say this.
The rooms here are very small, not even the usual table and two chairs crammed in a corner.
But they are CLEAN! and that's all we cared about.
It's right on 192, across the street from Old Town, the carnival tourist trap and less then a mile from World Drive.
After checking in, the whole cost with tax came to 26 something, we went and enjoyed a drink at a table by the pool.
And I'm looking for lizards.
Can't find one anywhere. THis is important to me for some reason.
Our last trip in April I call the no lizard trip.
I don't understand it, Disney used to be crawling with those little green anoles, but in 11 days in Disney, I only saw 2 the whole time.
Then Diane went looking for ice, and saw this open type box with big local coupon books inside.
And sitting right on the top brochure is a lizard.
Or so she says.
I was shot, so she walked over to the Mcdonalds in the front and we ate dinner in the room.
By the way, this is our baby that has gotten us safely to Disney 11 times now. Picture taken from a previous trip when we stopped in St. Augustine on the way down.
Slept a little later next morning, and took 192 east til we picked up the turnpike agian.
again.
damn manhattans
They say it's only an hour and a half from DisneyWorld to Vero Beach but it's closer to 2.
Pulled in around 10:30 and left the car right in front of the main lobby in the carport. But we had to leave the keys with this woman at this big desk out front.
I thought of taking the bathroom bag in with me.
We had requested a room in the main building, an "Inn" room, facing the pool. Only one side of this building faces the pool and "Ocean view" was extra.
Our check in clerk was terrific. She said, "You wanted a room facing the pool and by golly you're gonna get it!"
And we'll call you when the room is ready.
After retrieving the keys it was time to find a parking spot.
Very strange here, underground parking, my nemesis.
Pulling out of the bright sunlight into a dark parking garage is something I don't do well.
I couldn't see crap. Smidgy offered to drive here but I wouldn't let her take the glory.
Then we gathered stuffage we need to spend the time by the pool.
Books-check
suits-check
sunglasses-check
vikes-check
Yeah, I was still really sore, even from this "short" drive today.
From the garage we took an elevator right up into the lobby, really convenient, and just as we walked outside on this porch that led to a walkway to the pool, her cell phone rings.
"What? Already? " she exclaimed.
"But I can't see who's calling, it says no service in this area."
So she walked back on the porch and tried again. Nope, nothing.
I had an idea.
"Hey, why don't you just stick your head back in the lobby and yell out, "Did someone just call me?"
And that's pretty much what she did.
Our room was ready.
I think they wait to see you come through with all the pool gear and change of clothes before they'll give you your room.
with that, adios for tonight.
Just what I need about now, thanks for coming to help save my sanity 
part of me wanted to go get loungers, and let him relax by the pool whilst I went back and got our room (and all that entailed)
!
.... but our cruise stuff was in there...
hi Bee! Nice to see you around again. Hope all is well. 
Loving the new report my friend...cannot wait to read more~
