I love SWW and SW Celebrations...does that mean I am a geek? A PTR of a SW family.

[jmskinner]

Getting ready for the trip, just placed an order to rent a wide angle lens. Here is the review and the whole reason I went with this one Lens Review.

Don't expect shots that good, but I will give it a try.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

 

[jmskinner]

Thought I would show what we like to do on the weekends. Well, Jonas and I enjoy doing things, Jacob is perfectly happy staying home to watch TV, watch Youtube videos, and play video games. But, we do drag him out of the house every once in awhile.

We don't get the Mustang out too often and one of my Dis/FB friends had posted pics of Gettyburg and I looked it up and we are only 1 1/2 hours away, I was off Saturday, so let's do a day trip. It was beautiful day and the drive was gorgeous.

When we arrived, that red Mustang was already parked. Jonas left a spot open between us and then the owner of the Mustang made a comment that he hoped we would park next to him since he knew fellow Mustang owners would never ding his door, so Jonas moved his car over. Once in the Welcome Center, we bumped into them again. Their hotel had given them tickets, including two childrens and they didn't have any, so they gave them to us. We used one for Jacob and I found another family to give the other one to.





Here is a pic outside the Gettysburg Welcome Center (I practiced using my Lightroom program a litte).



I don't remember what this is, Jonas would be so disappointed in me






We had to stop at the NC Monument.




Tennessee's was right next to it


There was a re-enactor encampment going on,


perfect opportunity for some more Lightroom practice





And a little shot of the Mustang.



I had been wanting to get a pic of the Mustang so I could play with the Lightroom software and attempt doing an image like this. Need to practice a lot more.

That's the best I took on this day, but I see many more trips in my future.

 

[natebenma]

What a great day trip! My youngest son loves history, especially military history, so I know he would love to visit Gettysburg.

Great pictures!!!

I can't wait to see how your Florida pictures come out after you play around with your software.

 

[jmskinner]

What a great day trip! My youngest son loves history, especially military history, so I know he would love to visit Gettysburg.

Great pictures!!!

I can't wait to see how your Florida pictures come out after you play around with your software.

Thank you. We are going to attempt the 150th Celebration of Gettysburg next year, it is over July 4th.

I need to spend more time working that software and the camera.

 

[lovethattink]

Joining in a little late. Hope it's ok!

I have checked out your links on Celebration V, WOW!! I have to show them to dh!

Your last posts are making me a bit homesick. I grew up near Gettysburg. Went on lots of field trips there. Going for the 150th will be huge thing!! The re-enactments are amazing.

 

[jmskinner]

Joining in a little late. Hope it's ok!

I have checked out your links on Celebration V, WOW!! I have to show them to dh!

Your last posts are making me a bit homesick. I grew up near Gettysburg. Went on lots of field trips there. Going for the 150th will be huge thing!! The re-enactments are amazing.

Welcome and of course it is ok. Better late than never.

You grew up in a beautiful area! Looking forward to seeing a large re-enactment, we attend the one for Ball's Bluff just up the road from us.

 

[lovethattink]

Very cool!

We are a mustang loving family too. DH has 2 toys, a 1971 puke green stang that he bought when he was 16 and a 1965 red with white stripe down the middle that he bought about 10 years ago.

 

[jmskinner]

Very cool!

We are a mustang loving family too. DH has 2 toys, a 1971 puke green stang that he bought when he was 16 and a 1965 red with white stripe down the middle that he bought about 10 years ago.

Oh Wow!!! Does he do shows? We did a few while in FL, loved the Mustangs and Mustangs at Flights of Fantasy and the one at Silver Springs was our favorite.

By the way, the 71 isn't a MACH 1 is it? Jonas wants a 1970 MACH 1.

 

[lovethattink]

Oh Wow!!! Does he do shows? We did a few while in FL, loved the Mustangs and Mustangs at Flights of Fantasy and the one at Silver Springs was our favorite.

By the way, the 71 isn't a MACH 1 is it? Jonas wants a 1970 MACH 1.

He's done 2 shows with the red mustang, maybe 3? The puke green one is just a normal 302 engine, 8 cylindar. He bought it from an elderly woman who just used it to go to church and the grocery store for $3000 back in the '80s.

Is Silver Springs the drive-in?

 

[jmskinner]

He's done 2 shows with the red mustang, maybe 3? The puke green one is just a normal 302 engine, 8 cylindar. He bought it from an elderly woman who just used it to go to church and the grocery store for $3000 back in the '80s.

Is Silver Springs the drive-in?

Silver Springs is a little park near Ocala, FL. Here is the link Silver Springs I think the show is in February, so that would be great for your son. The two times we went it ended up getting really cold. They have glass bottom boats and there is a little zoo. I know it isn't Disney or Star Wars, but we always enjoyed it. The cars are parked inside the park and the last time we went, they were parking them anywhere they could find a spot



We would drive up on Friday night with two cars, leave the Mustang in the park Saturday night and have a nice relaxing weekend. Stayed close enough to walk to the park.

 

[lovethattink]

Silver Springs is a little park near Ocala, FL. Here is the link Silver Springs I think the show is in February, so that would be great for your son. The two times we went it ended up getting really cold. They have glass bottom boats and there is a little zoo. I know it isn't Disney or Star Wars, but we always enjoyed it. The cars are parked inside the park and the last time we went, they were parking them anywhere they could find a spot



We would drive up on Friday night with two cars, leave the Mustang in the park Saturday night and have a nice relaxing weekend. Stayed close enough to walk to the park.

That sounds very nice! The previous owner of his mustang drove all over FL showing it. His plan was Old Town, but in all our years here, we have never been to Old Town.

 

[jmskinner]

That sounds very nice! The previous owner of his mustang drove all over FL showing it. His plan was Old Town, but in all our years here, we have never been to Old Town.

We hadn't heard of Old Town, had to look it up. Sounds like a good time.


Will do a little update hopefully today, need to download some pics. Jonas and I both ended up sick on the 4th, which was fun considering we had company. Just hope they didn't get sick. Oh, and we were without power for about 18 hours last week. Not bad considering some still don't have power, but I learned my lesson. I will not stay in a hot house again, think that is why we are now sick.

Hope everyone had a fantastic 4th and you are staying cool.

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi there Melissa I'm joining really late. I thought I knew what your trip title meant since all 3 of my boys were crazy Star Wars fans!

I love your photos, I am so impressed with anyone who can do more than what I do which is simply to find the "on" button on the camera followed by the "auto" setting!

My DH was in the airforce and my youngest DS has been in Ft. Bliss Texas in the Army for the last 2 years, and I was a Navy baby so we are a military family as well.

Wow! 18 hours without power, that's rough. Hoping the weather is not as brutal soon.

I'll be following along.

 

[jmskinner]

Hi there Melissa I'm joining really late. I thought I knew what your trip title meant since all 3 of my boys were crazy Star Wars fans!

I love your photos, I am so impressed with anyone who can do more than what I do which is simply to find the "on" button on the camera followed by the "auto" setting!

My DH was in the airforce and my youngest DS has been in Ft. Bliss Texas in the Army for the last 2 years, and I was a Navy baby so we are a military family as well.

Wow! 18 hours without power, that's rough. Hoping the weather is not as brutal soon.

I'll be following along.

Thanks for joining. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner, been under the weather for two weeks now. Still not 100%.

Weather is much nicer today, 64 when I woke up and drizzling.

 

[jmskinner]

Sorry I have not updated in awhile. Still fighting this upper respiratory thing. Went to the doc a week ago, but still hasn't cleared. Don't like the antibiotics she prescribed because it makes my breath awful. Or I guess it is awful, certainly tastes bad. TMI?

In the past couple of weeks I purchased a couple of memory cards, those collapsible water bottles I mentioned previously, and some clothes for our trip. I never pay off the trip until we get there. And for once, I actually have the money to do so.

We have had to spend a small fortune on the car we plan to take. Needed new struts, shocks and tires. Jonas did say it is running really smoothly now.

Oh, and I am celebrating today, just realized we are exactly 4 weeks away.

Haven't really done much with Jacob this Summer. I've either been working or not feeling well. Or it was just too hot. Today both of my boys are in Fredricksburg at a gaming convention.

But this past week Jacob has been at camp. Found this wonderful program through the school district. So far they have canoed the Potomac River and investigaed Antietam National Battlefield. Jacob was confused by this one because he knows it as Sharpsburg, the Southern name per his Dad.

He didn't make it on the day they biked to Harpers Ferry. He worried himself sick about being able to bike ride. Had planned on really preparing him, but with the heat and getting sick, I haven't been able to.

Jacob and I did go to the Air and Space Museum near the Dulles Airport one day. That place is amazing.





No, those are not toy airplanes, but the real deals hanging. And that large one is a Concord.

And this is the Discovery






We had previously been to the museum a year ago when the Enterprise was there. The Enterprise was never in space, it was only used for training. I was curious what the difference would be, here is the Enterprise.





Looks very clean doesn't it.

I love that they are leaving Discovery in its current shape so you can see the affects of space travel on it.

Something else we were able to do is make a trip into Maryland and go to Adventure Park USA. It is a little amusement a little over an hour from us. Has a go-kart track, laser tag, rock climbing wall, some rides and of course video games.

Bumper Boats


Jacob agreed to ride this coaster, but we ran out of time


And a Tilt-A-Whirl


When I saw the Tilt-A-Whirl I knew we had to come back with Dad. Jonas loves the Tilt-A-Whirl. I use to, but worry about getting sick as I get older and older. The first time I heard Jonas on this ride, I was so embarassed. Anyone near the ride hears this "Lean, lean, lean" as he leans into the spins. And then you hear a lot of "Woo Hoo! Woo Hoo!" I can't believe how much the man loves this ride. It's one of those "who is that man" moments.

Jacob has another week of camp next week. The following week the poor kid will begin the process of braces. He is not too happy about that. Then he goes to spend some time with his Grandma in NC. Will get home in time to finish the braces and then we are off to WDW.

Are we really that close?

 

[lovethattink]

Congrats on the 4 weeks away!! Sorry to hear you have been sick. Hope you are on the mend and get all better very soon. Sounds like a great camp! Very cool to see the shuttle! And to be able to compare the 2, even better! Thanks for sharing the pics!

I have a question about Celebration. How early should we get there each day? How is parking? We will have our little guy's wheel chair, but we don't have a handicap placard. Will it be easy to wheel him from the parking lot to the convention center?

 

[thumperjr9]

We'll be there in 4 weeks too!! My DS13 said last night "I want to wake up tomorrow and be in WDW"! I told him "soon".

There's nothing worse than being sick in the summer....hope you shake that respiratory thing soon!

My dad has been to the Air and Space Museum near Dulles....actually a few times I think. He is really into that sort of thing. If we ever get to the DC area (I was there once many years ago) that would be on our must do list. My DS will be in DC in Nov. for his 8th grade trip but they won't be going there.

I use to love the tilt-a-whirl but now I just tolerate it. I'll ride it with my DS at a local amusement park if he insists. My DH can't even go near it, never could, even when he was young. In fact this trip when we go to Universal he will probably be sitting out for lots of rides. He really can't do anything that spins or the simulator rides.

 

[jmskinner]

Congrats on the 4 weeks away!! Sorry to hear you have been sick. Hope you are on the mend and get all better very soon. Sounds like a great camp! Very cool to see the shuttle! And to be able to compare the 2, even better! Thanks for sharing the pics!

I have a question about Celebration. How early should we get there each day? How is parking? We will have our little guy's wheel chair, but we don't have a handicap placard. Will it be easy to wheel him from the parking lot to the convention center?

The day we went to Celebrations was the day that Jon Stewart was interviewing George Lucas so it was extremely packed by the time we got there. Think the line started at 6am with thousands of people in attendance. There are two separate buildings to the convention center and we had to park at the other convention center building and then caught a shuttle bus over to Celebrations. The buses were the large charter buses. And I remember catching one back at the end of the day.

My husband thought that you may be able to drop off part of your party at the convention site, and then park your car. I would email Celebrations and/or the convention center to make sure what will be best for you. Sorry I am not more help.

We'll be there in 4 weeks too!! My DS13 said last night "I want to wake up tomorrow and be in WDW"! I told him "soon".

There's nothing worse than being sick in the summer....hope you shake that respiratory thing soon!

My dad has been to the Air and Space Museum near Dulles....actually a few times I think. He is really into that sort of thing. If we ever get to the DC area (I was there once many years ago) that would be on our must do list. My DS will be in DC in Nov. for his 8th grade trip but they won't be going there.

I use to love the tilt-a-whirl but now I just tolerate it. I'll ride it with my DS at a local amusement park if he insists. My DH can't even go near it, never could, even when he was young. In fact this trip when we go to Universal he will probably be sitting out for lots of rides. He really can't do anything that spins or the simulator rides.

on reaching the 4 week point too! Will your DS get to go to the one at the National Mall? We previously lived in the area from 2000-2003 and left right before the Dulles museum opened. We need to go back to the one on the National Mall since it has been so long and Jacob doesn't remember it.

I'm sorry DH can't ride. I use to love all rides, but about age 20 or so, I started getting motion sickness on some. I noticed that the coasters where you hang underneath are starting to bother me also. It is those barrel rolls. Even though they say the Green side of Mission Space doesn't spin, I feel it in my toes and fingers sometimes.

 

[thumperjr9]

I hope he gets to the one at the National Mall but there will be such a big group...close to 250 kids and they will have to split up in smaller groups so who knows where they will end up.

So after studying up on SW Celebrations I'm not even sure we are going?? I told my DS that we couldn't fit in Legoland, 2 days of Universal and Celebrations and asked him which one he would cut out of the itinerary. He shocked me by saying Celebrations!! Then he found out Mark Hamill is going to be there and said he wanted to go so he could get his signature....not on a anything Star Wars but on his collectible Joker action figure. I don't know, from what I understand it's going to cost us alot for a Mark Hamill signature.

Have you guys been to Legoland before? I'm a little worried that at 13 my DS will be a little old for it even though he still LOVES Legos and he really wants to go. A friend of mine just got back from Calif. and she said her boys (ages 6,8,10) were a little bored with the rides at Legoland.

 

[lovethattink]

I hope he gets to the one at the National Mall but there will be such a big group...close to 250 kids and they will have to split up in smaller groups so who knows where they will end up.

So after studying up on SW Celebrations I'm not even sure we are going?? I told my DS that we couldn't fit in Legoland, 2 days of Universal and Celebrations and asked him which one he would cut out of the itinerary. He shocked me by saying Celebrations!! Then he found out Mark Hamill is going to be there and said he wanted to go so he could get his signature....not on a anything Star Wars but on his collectible Joker action figure. I don't know, from what I understand it's going to cost us alot for a Mark Hamill signature.

Have you guys been to Legoland before? I'm a little worried that at 13 my DS will be a little old for it even though he still LOVES Legos and he really wants to go. A friend of mine just got back from Calif. and she said her boys (ages 6,8,10) were a little bored with the rides at Legoland.

The rides at Legoland are very tame. The park is catered to kids and pre-teens. (I haven't been to the water park section.) The lego creations are very impressive! The water ski show is cute. Part of the old Cypress Gardens is still preserved and it's kind of cool to walk under the old Banyon tree. The food is expensive and not that great, we found the pizza buffet to be decent but you need to eat there at opening or be prepared to wait a long time to be seated. There isn't much air conditioning there, and many of the trees are new plants so they don't provide much shade.