May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!!

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Just go up to Thread Tools and choose "Show Printable Version"--much easier & faster to read!

I did not know you could do that thanks.

 

[HollyTyler]

Finally got caught up! Darned work kept interfering! Now I'm ready for my DOD!!!!

 

[HollyTyler]

If anybody's interested, I figured out how to put a link in my signature to a report I did comparing Carnival to DCL. Tried to be objective, so it's pretty boring to read, but there are some great pics! I know, nobody cares about Carnival, but I often see people asking for comparisons, so if anybody's curious, there it is.

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

If anybody's interested, I figured out how to put a link in my signature to a report I did comparing Carnival to DCL. Tried to be objective, so it's pretty boring to read, but there are some great pics! I know, nobody cares about Carnival, but I often see people asking for comparisons, so if anybody's curious, there it is.

I have always been curious thanks. Being on the west coast sometimes does not make it practical to go all the way to Florida. I will have to read it and see what you said.

 

[clynne]

CRUD, CRUD, CRUD!!! No time to catch up with everything posted since I went to bed, but just have to vent....it stayed at 7 below all night and my pipes froze! This sucks!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, no! Holly, what does that mean for you? Ignorant SoCal question, but how do you unfreeze them when it's so blasted cold???

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

If you have more than 2 - I will give up drinking just to watch and walk!

More than 2??? Honey, I'm aiming for two! You're such a giver to offer, though!

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

I think I could definately be up for your d.o.d club btw!!!!

Yeah!!! (And, more hugs to you!!)

Carolyn

 

[HollyTyler]

Oh, no! Holly, what does that mean for you? Ignorant SoCal question, but how do you unfreeze them when it's so blasted cold???

Carolyn

Well, I don't have any personal experience with this because I've always rented until I bought my current house last February. But after talking with people at work, and I remember what my grandma used to do, I have to crawl under the house (only have a crawlspace, no basement) with a hairdryer (hope I can find a long enough extension cord) and blow warm air on it until it thaws. I was told to turn on the water, have my son inside watching and have him bang on the floor to let me know when it starts flowing.

Just one of those times I wish I had a husband or any man living with me. I'm very claustrophobic and not looking forward to doing this after work! And it's still below zero, so I can't imagine what it will feel like lying on the ground under the house! Wish me luck everybody!

If I hadn't just paid my deposit on this cruise, I'd pay somebody to do it for me!

 

[HollyTyler]

I have always been curious thanks. Being on the west coast sometimes does not make it practical to go all the way to Florida. I will have to read it and see what you said.

It's not very long, so if you would like more details, please let me know. I actually got tired of doing it towards the end, or maybe I should say distracted?

 

[aphoenix]

Ok, I read about airports many posts ago.

We will fly from Mexico city to MCO, but should be fly from LAX or Ontario back? These are the only ones who fly to Mexico.

Thanks.

Julie

I would strongly recommend LAX. Ontario is a very long drive from the Port, and the two routes there (91/15 and 110/10) are prone to having problems, even on weekends.

 

[clynne]

We are not Axe murderers as some here will attest. PM me if you are interested Cheri.

Definitely NOT axe murderers!! One of my fondest memories from our 11/11 double dip was riding in the bus, in the pouring rain, after our Chaccoben tour. DD was asleep leaning on one AZ auntie...DS asleep leaning on the other. Too cute!!

Carolyn

 

[aphoenix]

Yes, I learned all about the canal on our lasp PC cruise. I read a book by Dabid McCullough called "Path Between the Seas." It's a great read, and really made ,e appreciate all the blood sweat and tears that went into building the canal. If you haven't read it, I'd recommend reading it before the cruise in a heartbeat.

I stongly second that recommendation. I read the first half before boarding, then finished it as we were approaching the canal. It helped put a lot of what we saw in context.

 

[clynne]

Not really, but remember it is a Disney Cruise, so naked martoonis in public are probably out!!!!

Good thing!! (Man...I had so many ribald comments ready to fly, but even those embarrassed me too much to type...Naked is not an option!!)

Carolyn

 

[taysmom]

Ok, I read about airports many posts ago.

We will fly from Mexico city to MCO, but should be fly from LAX or Ontario back? These are the only ones who fly to Mexico.

Thanks.

Julie

I would choose LAX. I just booked a flight for my boss to mexico and we had to have him fly in/out LAX to get the best deal...and he lives near San Francisco! They are larger and have more flights. Ontario may seem close (miles wise) but there is a ton of traffic to ontario. It's not as close as it seems on paper. FYI.
Steph

 

[gesamom]

I was in Panamá last october, just to visit the Miraflores Locks visitor center, and was surprised to learn that when there was the California gold rush, lots of people from the East coast in the US would travel by ship to Panamá, cross Panamá by train (just before they built the Canal) and then embark again on the other side and get to San Francisco.

My children and I read about this earlier this year. I had not heard of it before that either. The interesting thing to us was that doing this often did not save them time over going all the way around Cape Horn because the jungle and swamp in Panama was so difficult to get through.

For those who homeschool, the official website, www.pancanal.com has a link for children where they explain how the locks work and how the ships go 26 meters over sea level to cross, and how they are lowered again.

Thanks! I can't wait to check this out. I am hoping to put some materials and info together to take with us. Talk about a field trip! We are homeschoolers and I plan to have our "regular" schoolwork finished by May 1 next year, but I just can't pass up an opportunity like this to study the Panama Canal in depth.

 

[jellojatdisney]

Ok - thought I'd introduce ourselves as we have PAID OUR DEPOSIT! So excited.

We live in the San Francisco Bay area, have four boys under 9 (DS 9, DS 7 DS 4 DS 1).

Hi Lisa,

Welcome. My DS will be 8 on the cruise. I am sure he will enjoy meeting your boys. (My DD's will be 6 and 4). We just missed you - went on the Jan 6 Eastern Magic (our first).

I am having the same issue with school for DS. I thought about doing the Transatlantic this May and spoke to the principal about the attendance policy. Was a bit discouraging - but I plan to do it anyway. I think the benefits will far outweight the costs.

Ellyn

 

[clynne]

I had no idea about this and found it a very interesting fact, I though everyone traveled to the West by land. Since this is part of the US history, do they teach this fact in school? Because here we were taught about the 13 Colonies, and their Independence, but that´s about it.

For those who homeschool, the official website, www.pancanal.com has a link for children where they explain how the locks work and how the ships go 26 meters over sea level to cross, and how they are lowered again.

DS did know this and shared it with me, but not sure if he gleaned this tidbit from his social studies reading or from a book (He reads A LOT!). I've checked out that pancanal site and have ordered some books from Amazon (one with nifty old photos!), but what I'm really looking for is a way to model how the locks work. I would even pay for a kit, but either they don't exist or I'm not searching correctly. If anyone has any ideas....

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

PC cruise. I read a book by Dabid McCullough called "Path Between the Seas." It's a great read, and really made

Thank you, I'm going to check it ou!

Carolyn

 

[cotomom]

So, today is the day that inventory control would be contacting the 'next in lines' for any of the suites for this cruise.

Wondering if anyone has heard from them?

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

DS did know this and shared it with me, but not sure if he gleaned this tidbit from his social studies reading or from a book (He reads A LOT!). I've checked out that pancanal site and have ordered some books from Amazon (one with nifty old photos!), but what I'm really looking for is a way to model how the locks work. I would even pay for a kit, but either they don't exist or I'm not searching correctly. If anyone has any ideas....

Carolyn

There is a little animated segment on that link. It is kinda neat and the kids will understand it. I don't know about a kit but if I see something I will let you know.