MAYBE A MAY TRIP?? 3 WEEKS SAPPHIRE FALLS 2021

[schumigirl]

Pictures, reports all may seem trivial but to me it's a little bit of normalcy and hope.
I worked for an Infectious Disease specialist for quite a while and also a group of Pulmonologists for several years so I'm under no delusions as to how serious everything is.

But, one can only look forward, do what we need to do and hope for the best.
Thanks for your photos and all Carole.

You are so welcome Tink…....

I completely agree. One of my friends and I were chatting last night and said the same thing......yes, it may seem trivial to think of a vacation while the world has gone crazy, but we need it.....we all need something to look forward to and hope for.

Sounds like an interesting career path you`ve had, and yes, will you an above average knowledge on this......for those in that path, this is certainly keeping them busy.

 

[Minnie17]

Schumigirl, thank you!! Needed some positivity today!

 

[schumigirl]

Schumigirl, thank you!! Needed some positivity today!

Glad to see you Minnie17......and yes, positivity is always welcome.....

Hope you`re doing well in all of this, it is good to see you

 

[schumigirl]

​

It`s been a funny old week with one thing and another...….no real updates for our September trip as you can imagine...….I think like everyone else who has trips planned, we have to wait and see.....and if you`re anything like me......patience is a gift that bypassed me when that virtue was handed out......I`m sure there`s someone who got the share patience that was meant for me and they are quite content to wait......but not me...…..I know a few of us are so similar there.

But after a week of even the most positive of people beginning to wonder if September will happen, I thought I needed something definite to look forward to.....

So, with that in mind......Tom and I began chatting last week thinking about next year and this morning booked us to fly in May next year for 21 nights......

Are we excited? Hell yeah...…..

And for the first time we aren't flying VA or TC......not knowing for certain what kind of position they`ll be in, although I think they`ll survive, we opted for another carrier.

We have never flown with TUI before...….they have the Dreamliner plane that friends have said is very nice to fly in, and more modern than a jumbo....although we love the Jumbo Jet and will miss it a lot.....it is one of the most beautiful planes to adorn our skies......and so huge!!! You can`t help be impressed when you see one. But as VA are no longer using them from immediate effect, there is a sadness there.

This airline have been around forever under another name Thomson, and we have never used them before. They are fairly common on European routes, and have been flying to America for a long time too.










With Virgin and TC when they were around, you could choose to fly for an odd amount of nights, which suited us perfectly. If we wanted 23 or 26 nights we could do that. With this airline you can seemingly only book for weekly increments.....so one two or three weeks....and they also fly into Sanford as opposed to MCO which will be different for us as we`ve never flown into there.

Friends have flown into Sanford with them and say they prefer the airport as you it`s smaller and immigration has always been quicker. But, as we have GE that probably won`t make any difference to us. But, good to know they like the airport. And it`s not really that great a distance away for us compared to MCO. It`ll be different though and I`m curious as to what we will prefer out of the two of them.

I like MCO. I know many don`t, but we never minded the airport and could pass our time easily there.

We just have to remember when booking our rental car to put Sanford instead of MCO......automatic default!!!!

We haven`t given the hotel any thought yet, but I would imagine it`ll be Sapphire Falls as we had planned for this May.....keeping RPR for next September again. But, we have to wait for the hotel right now.......I`m ok with that as we really don`t have a choice there.

So, that`s my update for now.......it really has boosted our mood....although really, we haven`t been too downbeat at all about this.....yet........wait till someone tells me I can`t travel in September.......

Yes, that would be me!!!!

Of course I haven`t decided yet that September won`t happen......nope, as far as I`m concerned it`s still go for that one too......but this is a just in case.......it would be booked anyway, we just did it a little early.

There`s still a fair few weeks till September and a lot can change in that time.......we`ll certainly have a better idea in the coming weeks of the situation.

So, as of now, we are still passing time fairly well. I`m baking quite a lot, and when we can we go for walks.

Kyle was off work on vacation last week, so we walked a few times with the three of us which was lovely. But, we have had some lovely weather....which for us is unusual.......but I see some areas of America are having snow and it`s really cold.....hope where you are it`s better than that. I`m always fascinated by the differences in America........we are a tiny country in comparison and can see big differences here, never mind a place the size of the US. Love hearing about everyone`s weather.......

Will be back with another update on this soon......thanks for listening to my ramblings on future trips too.......and look forward to hearing about everyone else`s plans.......for me too, it helps keep that positivity up......

 

[Cara]

You know, I was reading your responses yesterday and slid down to your signature to see if you had booked yet for May! So glad you booked your flights. It ALWAYS helps to have something to look forward to! Yay!

 

[macraven]

Super news!!
Another future trip for 2021 set up and with it means more super adventures we will read about for next year.

 

[J'aime Paris]

It's been a weird spring weather for us...
We had snow flurries yesterday, but no snow stuck to the ground thankfully.
It's 52 and sunny currently.

 

[AprilDreamsOfDisney]

Tom and I began chatting last week thinking about next year and this morning booked us to fly in May next year for 21 nights......

Hooray! Oh, I'm so so glad for you! How wonderful to have such a treat to look forward to! It will be fun to imagine and plan and likely a fun distraction (but baking doesn't need a distraction, does it!?)

I'll look forward to hearing all about your experiences with the new airline and new airport! Sometimes it really works out and you wonder why you'd never tried it before. I remember reading about the new hotel you stayed at before flying out and being so happy for you that you enjoyed it so much. If your friends have enjoyed the new airline and airport, I'm sure you'll like them, too! Although, I do think it helps to have a positive attitude and outlook - and you and Tom have that in droves, so no concerns there I imagine!

If you're interested in weather, let me tell you that I've been thoroughly unimpressed with ours the past two days! I'm in SouthEastern Ontario, Canada, and we're suffering from unseasonably cold temperatures. While it would usually be 15 degrees Celcius this time of year, with many warmer days than that, we actually had SNOW yesterday and last night!! None stayed on the ground, but you can imagine my horror when I looked out the window and saw large white flurries coming down! Thankfully, all of my spring planting seems to be okay - the tulips have bounced back, bulbs are still covered, and I'd not yet planted my veggies for the season (thank goodness!)

 

[Raeven]

no real updates for our September trip as you can imagine...….I think like everyone else who has trips planned, we have to wait and see..

Yupp, I've decided there's nothing more we can really do about Sep. Don't want to plan anything till I know, but I'm not a patient person either.

Of course I haven`t decided yet that September won`t happen......nope, as far as I`m concerned it`s still go for that one too......but this is a just in case.......it would be booked anyway, we just did it a little early.

I do think it's too early to tell. Right now I still think it's possible.

areas of America are having snow and it`s really cold.

we're one of those areas! We got a little snow. The weather's been all over the place. One day last week was 80, and one day this week was 30 with snow. But that's NY weather for you.

 

[schumigirl]

You know, I was reading your responses yesterday and slid down to your signature to see if you had booked yet for May! So glad you booked your flights. It ALWAYS helps to have something to look forward to! Yay!

So good to see you Cara......

Yes, you reminded me I need to add it to the signature......there may be room if we have to defer our next two trips too......lol.....

So, yes, that is our definite right now...…..

Hope you`re doing good, feeling good and your treatment is going well for you, it can`t be easy, but having the extra worry of this virus must be so much worse...….sending many hugs to you......

 

[schumigirl]

Super news!!
Another future trip for 2021 set up and with it means more super adventures we will read about for next year.

Thanks mac......we are excited to have it booked......and there will be a trip report for that one!!!!

This year may end up being a non starter for trips, but next year......by lordy I`ll be there even if I need to swim there.....lol.....

 

[schumigirl]

It's been a weird spring weather for us...
We had snow flurries yesterday, but no snow stuck to the ground thankfully.
It's 52 and sunny currently.

Oh it has been weird for you hasn't it!

I`m glad your snow didn't stick and you can look forward to warmer weather soon...….hopefully!!! 52F isn't that warm......hope the doggies are enjoying their walks though...….

 

[schumigirl]

Hooray! Oh, I'm so so glad for you! How wonderful to have such a treat to look forward to! It will be fun to imagine and plan and likely a fun distraction (but baking doesn't need a distraction, does it!?)

I'll look forward to hearing all about your experiences with the new airline and new airport! Sometimes it really works out and you wonder why you'd never tried it before. I remember reading about the new hotel you stayed at before flying out and being so happy for you that you enjoyed it so much. If your friends have enjoyed the new airline and airport, I'm sure you'll like them, too! Although, I do think it helps to have a positive attitude and outlook - and you and Tom have that in droves, so no concerns there I imagine!

If you're interested in weather, let me tell you that I've been thoroughly unimpressed with ours the past two days! I'm in SouthEastern Ontario, Canada, and we're suffering from unseasonably cold temperatures. While it would usually be 15 degrees Celcius this time of year, with many warmer days than that, we actually had SNOW yesterday and last night!! None stayed on the ground, but you can imagine my horror when I looked out the window and saw large white flurries coming down! Thankfully, all of my spring planting seems to be okay - the tulips have bounced back, bulbs are still covered, and I'd not yet planted my veggies for the season (thank goodness!)

Thanks April......yes, looking forward to trying something new.....and Sanford is still relatively close to Orlando. I have some friends that fly to Miami then drive up to Orlando the next day......that has never really appealed to us to be honest, but maybe one day it may be our only option the way the airlines are going. Not looking good for VA right now...….and of course our next two trips are with them, so the decision may be taken out of our hands as to whether we make it for them.

Oh that is nasty weather that you have!!

It just seems too late in the season for snow, I`m glad it doesn't seem to be laying long. And glad all your flowers survived....oh and good luck with the veggies.....sounds like you have a nice garden that you enjoy....weather permitting.....lol......I am not green fingered at all!!! I could destroy weeds!!!

Hope your temps rise soon. Me and my big mouth though....I mentioned yesterday how lovely our weather had been recently......yep, wind and rain appeared last night and it`s the same today......grey, wet and miserable......no walk today!!!

 

[schumigirl]

I do think it's too early to tell. Right now I still think it's possible.



we're one of those areas! We got a little snow. The weather's been all over the place. One day last week was 80, and one day this week was 30 with snow. But that's NY weather for you.

Oh my goodness, that is quite a temperature range for you!!!! Yes, I can imagine your weather varying when I think of it......I tend to look at Long Island and Manhattan area where I have family, and even my aunt said she felt it colder the other day after mentioning some lovely weather.......

It`s crazy and yes, it seems to be all over the place. Who knows what to wear from one day to the next!!!

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Whoo-hoo!!! 3 weeks in May next year!!! Love it when the next vacation is booked before the current vacation has happened...

We fly into Sanford and we like it... It's much smaller than MCO and less crowded and easier to get around... I hope you and Tom like it too!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

 

[Cara]

So good to see you Cara......

Yes, you reminded me I need to add it to the signature......there may be room if we have to defer our next two trips too......lol.....

So, yes, that is our definite right now...…..

Hope you`re doing good, feeling good and your treatment is going well for you, it can`t be easy, but having the extra worry of this virus must be so much worse...….sending many hugs to you......

Carole, I just can't bear to think that we may be dealing with this to the same extent all year long! So I just refuse to think about it! I'm going pretty well; I finish phase one of treatment on Tuesday! Then testing, then surgery, then radiation, and targeted infusions every three weeks through January. BUT I will be finished with two nasty chemo drugs, and I am so thankful for that!

To add insult to injury, I have GAINED 12 pounds. My doctor says it's the steroids and water retention. I thought for sure I would lose weight on chemo!!

 

[schumigirl]

Whoo-hoo!!! 3 weeks in May next year!!! Love it when the next vacation is booked before the current vacation has happened...

We fly into Sanford and we like it... It's much smaller than MCO and less crowded and easier to get around... I hope you and Tom like it too!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Thanks Nancy...….we just couldn't resist any longer!!!!

I`m glad you like Sanford too. I did Google it and yes, it looks much smaller, like one of our regional airports, and many have all positive comments about it. It`ll be fun to see something new for a change as MCO is the only airport in Florida we`ve ever flown into. Our only other US airport was JFK which can be quite daunting.....whichever terminal you land in!!!!

Hope you had a lovely day yesterday too...….

 

[schumigirl]

Carole, I just can't bear to think that we may be dealing with this to the same extent all year long! So I just refuse to think about it! I'm going pretty well; I finish phase one of treatment on Tuesday! Then testing, then surgery, then radiation, and targeted infusions every three weeks through January. BUT I will be finished with two nasty chemo drugs, and I am so thankful for that!

To add insult to injury, I have GAINED 12 pounds. My doctor says it's the steroids and water retention. I thought for sure I would lose weight on chemo!!

I think refusing to think about it makes a lot of sense at times. We all know the reality, we just don`t need to acknowledge it every minute of every day........for our own sanity I think we need to switch off.

Glad you`re holding up ok. It sounds just plain tough what you are going through.

Sounds like you have a lot to go through yet, but I`m sure you`ll deal with it day by day and January is getting closer by the hour it seems!! And glad the very nasty drug will stop soon. It`s amazing how you`re dealing with this.......you have my complete admiration!

The weight will come back off...... But, yes the assumption is you`ll lose weight usually.......

To have a lighter moment if I may........I`ve put on 10lbs in 5 weeks and I have no medical excuse.......lol......really need to move off the butt for longer periods of time....and not just to bake cakes......

As always, sending you many good wishes.......

 

[JaxDad]

Hi Carole! How are you? I hope you and your family are doing well! We're great here! The kids are still banging through homeschooling--just three more weeks--and I'm also working mostly from home. My son's camp in Colorado was cancelled as expected, so we won't be making that trip until next year, but plan to hopefully do some local trips this summer. As things here slowly open back up, I was thinking of when we could head down for a stroll around St. Augustine, which of course made me think of our missed DISMeet. I do hope we can make up for it during one of your upcoming trips!

I was interested to hear about you flying into Sanford next year. I did not realize how much they had transitioned into passenger airline service the last 10-15 years, particularly catering to British travelers. It's funny to learn about something so close from someone who lives so far away! I have a pilots license and did some aerobatics training with a retired military guy there in the 90s. I just remember it as a big, somewhat empty airport with long runways (from its previous role as a Navy jet training base). It's obviously a bit farther from the Universal area than MCO, but there's an expressway right there, so it shouldn't be bad. Anyway, cheers!

 

[schumigirl]

Hi Carole! How are you? I hope you and your family are doing well! We're great here! The kids are still banging through homeschooling--just three more weeks--and I'm also working mostly from home. My son's camp in Colorado was cancelled as expected, so we won't be making that trip until next year, but plan to hopefully do some local trips this summer. As things here slowly open back up, I was thinking of when we could head down for a stroll around St. Augustine, which of course made me think of our missed DISMeet. I do hope we can make up for it during one of your upcoming trips!

I was interested to hear about you flying into Sanford next year. I did not realize how much they had transitioned into passenger airline service the last 10-15 years, particularly catering to British travelers. It's funny to learn about something so close from someone who lives so far away! I have a pilots license and did some aerobatics training with a retired military guy there in the 90s. I just remember it as a big, somewhat empty airport with long runways (from its previous role as a Navy jet training base). It's obviously a bit farther from the Universal area than MCO, but there's an expressway right there, so it shouldn't be bad. Anyway, cheers!

Hello my friend.......

We’re doing good thanks! Getting on and hoping for the best, like everyone else.......and waiting.

Oh that’s a shame the camp was cancelled, yes, you’ll do it next year, this year is just upside down. Kids will be glad school is over soon and working from home has it’s upsides.....Kyle is thinking of how much fuel money he’s saving every week......lol......

Oh yes, as the sing says......we’ll meet again! If we make September we’ll absolutely meet you in St Augustine.......gosh we do miss visits there too!!! You’re so lucky having it as close as it is.....such a gorgeous place! If this year doesn’t happen at all, well, we’ll be there in May again for sure.......

Yes, Sanford seems to have had a huge transformation over the years. Lots of Brits who didn’t fly BA or VA tended to fly in there, the distance isn’t bad at all, we don‘t mind that. Heck right now if I could land anywhere I’d go......lol...

I know what you mean about finding out relatively local info from afar......last year I told one of my brothers about a building project that was being started soon near him......he knew nothing of it, he’s about 15 minutes away from it, I’m around 7 hours away.....lol......

Now that sounds fascinating what you used to do!! Pilot and aerobatics.......wow!!! Is flying still a hobby you enjoy? Had to change that as auto correct changed it to aerobics......lol.....not as much fun!

Keep well and don‘t be a stranger.......Tom says hi too......