Were under 3 weeks until we arrive in Vero Beach, and even less than that for the lucky two who are going on the NYC leg of this whirlwind tour. If youve followed along with my replies over the last few pages youve already read that we have a lot going on and it seems like we cant really focus on getting excited for the trip yet. There are lots of hurdles to um, hurdle, before we get there.
Nevertheless, some planning has been planned and some purchases have been purchd.
Naturally, you want the run-down, so heres what I can come up with since last time:
- Top of the Rock Tour. I purchased tickets for Judy and Lauren to tour Rockefeller Center and go to the Observation Deck. www.topoftherocknyc.com I was putting it off because there was no discount to purchase them ahead of time, but then I realized that I should get them to ensure that they can go at a time that fits their schedule, since Ive booked other tours and things. So, theyre all set.
- Microfiber towels. I was Auto Zone and made an impulse buy at the checkout, which is something I almost never do. They were only a dollar for a package of 2. And since theyre only washcloth-size, I may carry one in my camera bag. Theyre useful for cleaning off grody (80s flashback! definition link) benches or for attempting to dry yourself off after a trip down the Kali River Rapids.
- Beach toys. We were at a discount/overstock store, Ollies Outlet, and bought a set of Wham-o brand beach toys for $14.99. The set has a volleyball, football, Frisbee, and paddles and balls that are made of fabric and suitable for use at the pool or the beach. It also has an inflation pump. With this stuff, along with our kite-in-a-bag from Kitty Hawk Kites that weve had for years, we ought to have plenty to keep us occupied on the beach.
- Disney Visa upgrade. I went ahead and upgraded to the premium Disney Visa card. I figure that the extra reward dollars will pay for the annual fee and then some.
- Sirius Radio. I ran the satellite-antenna cable through the van so that its hidden under all of the upholstery and comes out under the passenger side floor mats. Since I couldnt find an FM transmitter/booster, I got an FM extender from Amazon for just a few bucks. Youre supposed to place it near the radio antenna, but in all honesty Im not sure where it is theres no obvious metal antenna anywhere. Oh well. Just putting the extender on the dash helps to get rid of the static, so I guess thats how Ill use it.
- Downloaded the Disney Mobile Magic iPhone app. This was a free download. In 2010 I downloaded it to my not-so-smart phone and it was $5 or $10. So, well have both the Mobile Magic app and the Undercover Tourist app and we can see which one we like better. I like that the Mobile Magic app has transportation help, but Im going to ignore its suggestions whenever it tells me to go through Downtown Disney
unless Im trying to get to Downtown Disney! One thing I dont like is that it wont give me the ride wait-times unless Im in the park. The Undercover Tourist app will show me the current wait-times and its kind of fun to see whats happening at the World, while Im home.
- Parents ME tags arrived. Since the reservation is in my name, I had to book my parents Magical Express. Ill give them their luggage tags when theyre here for Laurens graduation.
- Looked at our grocery list with Judy. Right now, its basically the same as the past couple of trips. We just might need a little more quantity, with the extra bodies. I imagine my parents will bring their own Metamucil
and what-not.
- I never told you about a couple of Christmas gifts I got for the trip. With some Christmas money I got an inexpensive monopod. Im not sure yet if Ill take it into the parks or not, but it will at least make the trip to Florida.
The second item is what Judy got for me: Night vision goggles.
As you can imagine, theres quite a range of what you can spend for this kind of thing and these are at the low-end. Im not sure how well theyll work to see critters way out on the savanna, but well see
if we can see. Itll be neat to try them out from our balcony! Oh, and for anyone staying at Jambo House, you might want to remember to close your blinds.
- Booked our Sea Turtle Walk. Good thing I looked at the To Do list in my last update or Id have forgotten to include this here. A couple of weeks ago the window opened for when you could begin signing up for June's nightly Sea Turtle Walks at Sebastian Inlet State Park. I began calling right at 10am, when they opened, and it took until nearly 1 oclock before I could get through. And you thought the Disney Dining phone line was tough! Even though I was in a seminar
, I hit redial every five minutes or so and it took nearly 3 hours to get a ring instead of a busy signal. Once I got through I had no trouble reserving a spot for us on the evening I wanted. 
It may not seem like it day-by-day, but we are getting there!
Now to catch up here....
I remember you, I followed your report from around the same time as well.
It will be so awesome! DDIL and I turned some babies loose in PV a few years ago - such a neat experience!
My second thought is that I don't know how many animals are out there at night. I saw them all walking in a single file line like they were going to Noah's Ark right about dusk. They headed into a walled structure with barbed wire around the top that you don't really even notice behind the trees. When they were all in, the gate closed and you couldn't even tell the gate was there. Maybe not all of them retire for the evening. 
I'm sure you'll find something to do with the night vision 
We should be on our turtle walk 1 week from right now.
