Our Seemingly Silly Semi-Illogical Four Day Whirlwind Trip

[Kay7979]

Hi, again! You guys are killing me with some of these comments!

Fantastic as ever Kay. Thanks so much for the picies of WL it has pretty much made DH and I make up our minds that WL is where we want to go instead of Poly. Cant wait until Sep (school headmistress permitting).

I'm bursting to find out what happens next

2ScottishPrincesses: Uh oh! I’m glad you enjoyed the episode and the photos, but I get nervous when people start changing plans based on my trip report. The Poly is a gorgeous resort, too. I have some pics of the Poly coming later in the report. It all depends on which theme you prefer. The WL is a bit kinder on the budget, if that is a factor.

Kay, I'm speechless (which for me is a rarity)...I wanna be you when I grow up.

Your Disney public service announcements and advertising gimmicks are just hysterical - there aren't many trippies that can make me laugh out loud, much less choke on a cheeseburger. Congratulations for being the first DISer to achieve this somewhat questionable honor!

Thanks so much for the time and effort you've obviously put into this - it's been worth every word!!

B.

PS. It looks like we were posting on each other's threads at about the same time. Now that's what I call symmetry!

oybolshoi: Yes, we did post at the same time. Perhaps due to a time distortion created by a wormhole in space? Thanks for the compliments but don’t sue me for choking on the cheeseburger. I was interested to hear in your own report what you do for a living. Oddly, I write dull technical analyses all day, too, only mine are of real estate appraisals. Perhaps the fact that we have to write unimaginative dull material for a living explains why in our outside lives we like to write creative, funny, interesting material.

Excuse me.
But after being unceremoniously drummed out of Kay's Middle Earth, only for the reason of trying to claim my rightful title as the 100th poster, which I still believe resides on the finger of Celerystalker, I have returned, as Nebo the White. Only to find,, (um, could you hand me that mirror again) uh, a Wildebeast. Or an Impala. Or, most likely, a Deer in the Headlights!
(what, was the platypus taken?)

Utahmama? Does this mean we can roam around and avoid the "objectionable view"? See ya by the pool. And Utah? Three words. Turtle neck sweater.

Kay, that was totally outragous. I'm still getting over "fun with feces." I thought I was the only one that did that. In my eyes, your have joined the ranks of one of the "trip report masters." Please take the chair next to Utahmama's.

nebo. You don’t still begrudge celerystalker her award, do you? Surely having an Animal Kingdom resident named in your honor is a suitable consolation prize. And put the mirror down, I didn’t say it resembled you, only that it was named after you! If you find a resemblance, however, so much the better. It’s an Impala, by the way, but it doesn’t come with a V-8 engine or leather interior, just a leather exterior . . .unlike your old ride, the Renault Le Car.

Your comment to UtahMama, “turtle neck sweater” had me barking with laughter, so I guess they’ll need to name a dog after me!

Thanks for the compliments. When someone funny thinks you’re funny, it’s really a compliment.

Dear cheapsKAYte (just kidding),

Actually, that's a great idea! I love it! Do you do the same thing for Valentine's Day, birthdays, Christmas cards, etc.?

So, is it Sunday yet....huh? huh? huh? What, you say I have to be patient a few more days for the next segment? Oh, all right (sulking). -Iluvsushi

iluvsushi: Yes, we do the same for all cards. Now and then I pull out old birthday or Valentines cards from back when we used to spend $10.00 on a couple cards. After a few years I don’t remember them any more, so it’s like getting a new card. Senility has its benefits.

I often post on Sundays, but I’ve posted some as late as Monday and some as early as Thursday, so you never know! I’m no longer an episode ahead, but have one in the works, so it should be ready in a few days.

Okey dokey, I guess it's the work/study program for me then. Anything for a villa! Maybe I could work a double shift and be an Advertimal too. Not only are your installments funny and entertaining but so are your replies to all of us. You are Queen Kay of the Trip Reports! I love the pics of the WL and the Redneck Concierge is awesome! Who needs that 7th floor. Pfffft. Please be careful on pool hopper patrol and watch out for those mug police.
Looking forward to more!
Last edited by SunKat : Today at 10:07 PM. Reason: Woo Hoo, my 200th post is on Kay's report!

SunKat: First a big 200 post WOOOO HOOOTY to you! Thanks for making your milestone post on my report. Reader comments are entertaining and funny, too, and I really appreciate all you people who post so faithfully. Being witty is not a requirement to post comments, so I hope that doesn’t stop anyone from de-lurking, but I do get a kick out of a lot of the clever comments, and I’m sure all you readers do, too.

Keep in mind your comment: “Anything for a villa,” because on our walking tour in the next episode our first stop is at the WL Villas, and I give some commentary on why a villa beats staying in a room.

Ding, Ding, Ding!!!

"The ostrich has posted".....LOL!

Great! Thanks A LOT. Now my DH is going to drag me to the Hallmark store on my birthday and anniversary and present me with a pre-chosen card, then yank it out of my hands and say, "That's the card I would have given you, babe!" ( )

Nebo- You bring the vic's and it's a deal . See you by the murky-pudding-warm-as-pee "pool"! I'll be the one with the turtleneck with my head in the sand. AND! Thank you for the "Trip Report Masters" comment!!!! You made me blush a whole new shade of pink!

UtahMama aka: The Ostrich. I cannot seem to impress upon you and Nebo that the fact that the animals were named in your honor does not mean that you resemble them. Much. As far as you know. But, since you insist upon thinking of yourself that way, HI to my FAVORITE ostrich! I loved the image of you at the pool area with your head in the sand!!!!! Oh, and as for the card, I’m sorry if your DH yanks the lovely card away, but look at the bright side. He’ll take the money he just saved, and buy you a nice present . . . Like a new turtleneck!!

 

[MP2002]

Well Kay, what I was thinking was that if the Indians took your locks you could have the AKV logo shaved on the side of your head, kind of Mohawk style and you could become an AdvertiKay. Maybe they would give you enough points for a villa or at the very least one of the metal structures with an unobjectionable view!

 

[blossombrd]

Thanks for continuing to entertain us! My DH and I were at the Wilderness Lodge once but didn't get to spend much time just savoring the moment. Now I want to go back and see what we missed. But then again, I feel like I was just there looking up at you from the lobby! And standing on the bridge, watching the stream inside flow from the lobby to the outside. It truly is a beautiful and romantic place. I'm not a rustic kind of person, but I really love it there.

Can't wait to walk the trail to Fort Wilderness with you. I'll bet the indians will be on their best behavior for us, especialy when they find out we are all silly people at heart.

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Hi, again! You guys are killing me with some of these comments!






2ScottishPrincesses: Uh oh! I’m glad you enjoyed the episode and the photos, but I get nervous when people start changing plans based on my trip report. The Poly is a gorgeous resort, too. I have some pics of the Poly coming later in the report. It all depends on which theme you prefer. The WL is a bit kinder on the budget, if that is a factor.




Never fear Kay we're not changing plans based solely on your report. We were leaning very much towards WL and the pictures just gave us another prod in that direction. I had fantasy's of staying at GF but DD21mths Niamh is just too wild for all that polished indulgence (I would hate her to start climbing on the piano in the lobby). The Poly also looked gorg but DH is hankering after that all american vibe (I think he watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers too much when he was young)

So when we eventually make our trip in Sep and the unthinkable happens and we hate WL we wont be gunning for you I promise.

 

[Maine-iac]

After those great pictures I am really wanting to stay at WL. Am tempted to make ressies for there for my last 2 days on next trip. We will see if the budget allows it.
Impatiently waiting for next installment.

 

[Briarmom]

Briarmom: A new name. Welcome, and if you will pardon the play on words, Briarmom: stick around!

I'll allow it. I am a bit of a (t)horny one.

 

[Kay7979]

Oh Boy! More comments.

Well Kay, what I was thinking was that if the Indians took your locks you could have the AKV logo shaved on the side of your head, kind of Mohawk style and you could become an AdvertiKay. Maybe they would give you enough points for a villa or at the very least one of the metal structures with an unobjectionable view!

MP2002: Nice effort to weasel out of letting the Indians take my hair instead of Lowell’s! And a very cute and clever post. AdvertiKay. Actually, the more I think, that’s not so far fetched. Haven’t we seen people on TV that have sold advertising space on their foreheads, or top of their bald heads, or some such crazy thing? I think a guy offered ad space on himself via an eBay auction last year. I sure wouldn’t give up my hair for a corrugated metal building, though, so they’d have to do WAY better than that!

I feel like I was just there looking up at you from the lobby! And standing on the bridge, watching the stream inside flow from the lobby to the outside. It truly is a beautiful and romantic place. I'm not a rustic kind of person, but I really love it there.

Can't wait to walk the trail to Fort Wilderness with you. I'll bet the Indians will be on their best behavior for us, especially when they find out we are all silly people at heart.

blossombrd: Excellent. It’s a bit easier for me to make you feel “you are there” with us when you have already stayed at the lodge. I hope I can achieve that same effect even for those who have never seen the Lodge. I’m looking forward, myself, to the upcoming episode where some of you readers tag along for our walking tour. And I like your idea that the Indians will be on their best behavior for us because we’re just harmless “silly” folks.

Never fear Kay we're not changing plans based solely on your report. We were leaning very much towards WL and the pictures just gave us another prod in that direction. I had fantasy's of staying at GF but DD21mths Niamh is just too wild for all that polished indulgence (I would hate her to start climbing on the piano in the lobby). The Poly also looked gorg but DH is hankering after that all american vibe (I think he watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers too much when he was young)

So when we eventually make our trip in Sep and the unthinkable happens and we hate WL we wont be gunning for you I promise.

2ScottishPrincesses: Your DH and Lowell would get along fine, watching old Westerns together. I hesitate to admit we watched quite a few John Wayne movies on our honeymoon! Is that true love and self-sacrifice on my part, or what?! I know you will have a great time at the Lodge. And I hope you’ll get an upgrade to the “Presidential Otter Suite!” (Hey, I almost forgot about that name!)

After those great pictures I am really wanting to stay at WL. Am tempted to make ressies for there for my last 2 days on next trip. We will see if the budget allows it.
Impatiently waiting for next installment.

Maine-iac: Maybe they have a work/study program at the Lodge, too, like at AK Villas. You can groom the stick ponies or help the chef make pork jerky in exchange for a discounted room rate!

I'll allow it. I am a bit of a (t)horny one.

Briarmom. I’d better keep you away from the Indians. They might just carry you off.

 

[jw50]

Kay, don't you think it is about time for a new installment

 

[NAB]

I so agree Joe....

We are waiting.

 

[bunnysmum]

Kay! I am SO glad you gave me the heads up about your "Turn Down Service/Viking" installment. Oh, it would have been a dirty, rotten shame to have missed this one.

My goodness, it was all just wonderfully written...where do I start?

Well, firstly, I think I could seriously get used to turn-down service. Wouldn't it be divine to have that little luxury on a regular basis? Maybe once a week, if not nightly. (wistful sigh)

Secondly, I LOVED the viking dudes. Here is one of my favorite lines:

“What is that?” Vidar asks.

“Hard flat brownie,” Thor says, chewing.

That one rocked my socks. In Crocs.

and this just kills me...

Once again the Vikings let out an oath.

Kay, ...how about letting your imagination run free as the Vikings visit the Storybook Princess Breakfast? I have a feeling something like this would be the result:

I call this one "Princess Bunny meets Thor and Vidar". She's a savage little Norseman, don't you think? Come to think of it, her dad did have some rather Viking-like qualities about him...though as you can probably tell from looking at Bunny, he didn't have the eyes/hair/skin tone to qualify as a true Viking...and I never knew him to make his own brownies.

 

[duncanssweetie]

I leave for Disney and you post a double feature !!!!
Actually I'm glad I had some funny stuff to come home and read. While I do the laundry.

Once again, you rock !!

 

[celerystalker]

Somehow I like the irony of doing Pool Hopper Detective Duty while drinking from a contraband refillable mug. Which reminds me, I should test the Pool Hopper Electrocution Kit to make sure it’s in working order, but I’d better wait till late at night when power consumption is low.

Kay, my dear, you are so adorable!
Thank you so much for taking us inside your mind.

 

[MP2002]

Sunday is coming....should be time for a new installment soon!!!!! Unless you're feeling generous and should post a bit early, hmmmmmmm
Is it wrong of me that I am already worrying that your trip might be coming to an end soon and then I won't have any more installments to look forward to? Got anymore Disney trips coming up soon? I hope you do decide to do the trippie from your other trip that you discussed before.

 

[Kay7979]

Joe, NAB, and MP2002 : Yes, it's almost time for another episode. This one is somewhat longer than usual and has quite a few photos. I'm about finished with fine-tuning but have to add the photos. It will be up later tonight, or tomorrow.

celerystalker: I'm glad you enjoy seeing "inside my mind." It's a rather strange place. I would not recommend playing word association games with me. My answers would be bizarre and unusual!

bunnysmum: Thanks for sharing the great photo of Bunny. Looking AT the camera. I realize what a rare event that is! She is a Fearsome and Intimidating Savage Norseman. Tell her she would frighten the bravest of trolls, and I bet they would fall on their patooties in their haste to escape.

duncanssweetie: Hey, it's good to have you back! I'm glad you enjoyed the double feature. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip.

 

[Kay7979]

PART TWENTY SIX:


Our tour begins as we step outside the front doors of the Lodge. The sky is blue and the air has that wonderful early morning damp grass smell. I can hardly wait to get started. This is a great morning for a walk and it’s nice to have so many of you along. First, let’s head toward the villas public areas. We’ll take the covered walkway.

The villas have their own lobby and seating areas, and a room called the Iron Spike Room that was designed for relaxing and playing games. This is a rustic and relaxing place to hang out, especially on a rainy. It has a railroad theme because Walt loved railroads. The room houses a lot of interesting memorabilia, so it’s worth a look around. I love the stone fireplace.

I wanted to stay in the main building for our first trip to the Lodge, but I wouldn’t mind staying in the villas next time. Being stuck in one room, no matter how nice, is too restrictive once you get used to staying in condos. WDW is one of the few places I tolerate a hotel room, since convenience and theming are reasonable trade-offs.

Disney villas are smaller than typical timeshares, but at least you get a small kitchen, a living room with dining area, and a separate bedroom. If you have kids you can roll out the couch for them, then escape to your own bedroom with your own TV! You can watch something other than cartoons, MTV, or Pimp my Ride. Even if it’s just you and your spouse, more than one TV is great. Why fight over which show to watch? You can catch the latest Grind-O-Matic infomercial while he watches the Do-it-Yourself Kidney Transplant Show. I’m all for togetherness, but a little apartness can be handy now and then.

Some people claim they break out in a rash if they as much as glimpse a kitchen while on vacation. Get a grip! You don’t have to cook. You can store spare shoes and clothes on the refrigerator racks and hide the souvenirs your spouse doesn’t know you bought in the oven. As for me, I love padding out to the kitchen late at night and making a cup of herb tea or hot chocolate, or maybe raiding the refrigerator for some ice cream. In the morning if I’m up before Lowell, I might have a first cup of coffee and a piece of toast while watching TV or reading a magazine. We don’t do much cooking on vacation, although I’ve been known to make a “Smoke Alarm Special” or two. Mostly we buy fresh fruits and salads, and pre-made foods from the deli.

Damp towels, swimsuits, or that T-shirt I slopped ketchup on, go straight to the villa’s washer and dryer. That way there’s no temptation to turn balcony railings into Elmer Reneck’s U-WASH Laundromat. Last I knew, Disney resort themes don’t include a New York City tenement with balcony railings draped with skivvies and towels flapping in the wind, so please don’t make me stare at your laundry while I’m lying at the pool. And if you happen to get a unit next to an annoyingly loud family that blasts the TV till 2 AM while their kids stampede through the condo like a herd of bison crossing the prairie, the kitchen and laundry room come in handy for that, too. Just wait till the noise dies down and they drift off to sleep, then toss a couple saucepans into the dryer and hit “More Dry.”

Right this way, now. We’ll go out the front and I’ll show you the exterior and the pool area. The villas have their own pool, but the Lodge can use it, just as Villa guests can use the main pool. There’s no waterslide here, so you can’t watch the waterslide Olympics, which may be a benefit if you just want a quiet swim.

I have no idea why the Lodge’s woodsy, natural setting and décor is so appealing to us. Our own home is stuck in a time warp. It’s a cross between Colonial Williamsburg and the Wilderness Lodge. Everything is brick, wood, stone and natural materials and feels like an old country inn. We have fifteen acres with woods and trails. Logically, we should gravitate toward something the complete opposite on vacation like the Beach Club or the Polynesian. We love those resorts, too, but the Lodge pulls us like a magnet. Our second favorite is Port Orleans Riverside. We love the landscaping, scenic grounds and walkways, the quaint buildings, and the river bordering the property. I suppose a casual, rustic atmosphere is the common element. We just can’t get enough of it.

Come on. The path to Fort Wilderness is right this way. It starts from the beach and passes through a jungle-like woods which is very different from our woods at home.

There is no mistaking you’re in the south. The ground is mostly sand, and plants and trees are nothing like the ones we have at home. I think some of these are palmetto plants, but there are several varieties of tropical plants that I can’t identify. It’s so peaceful here it feels like we’re miles from civilization. I love when the sun slants through the trees and makes dappled patterns on the ground as we walk.

Morning is my favorite time for a walk. Look! There goes a lizard! I forget what they call these little guys, but there are a lot of them around here, and I’ve heard that people often see deer and rabbits along this path, too.

A family on bicycles rides toward us. They call a cheerful “Good morning,” as they approach. They’re wearing their “it’s good to be alive and at Disney” smiles. Let’s all wave as they pass.

Once they’re out of view we pick up our pace. The dense green wilderness grows thicker the farther we walk, and the woods take on a silent and ominous feeling. Let’s stay close together and not become separated. I haven’t forgotten about Indians. Or Lowell’s prime scalp. A hundred eyes could be watching us even now as we walk toward the safety of the fort. I shiver at the thought and glance behind me to make sure those of you who joined us are safe. I see TigerKat, Maine-iac, blossombrd, and duncanssweetie following not too far behind, and further back DiznEeyore, MP2002, SunKat, Joe and Suzflee. At the rear of the procession I glimpse NMAmy and LIZ running to catch up to Minnie_Moo, celerystalker and Backstage_Gal who have their heads together talking excitedly about something. I hope they aren’t discussing something dangerous they saw in the woods. There may be a few more of you farther back, but I can’t see you from here. Come on; we’d better hurry! We don’t have much farther to go.

We reach the end of the trail and cross a paved road. I feel safer now being on Fort Wilderness grounds. We walk past the petting zoo and eventually come to Pioneer Hall. This is where they hold the Hoop-De-Doo Revue. We have an ADR for the first show tonight.

I’m tired. This was a fairly long walk, and it was fun, but I think we’ll take the boat back to the Lodge rather than risk Lowell’s scalp again.

But first, because I’m a thoughtful tour guide, we’ll stop at the restrooms. Even the restrooms here have a fun, Western décor. Take a look.

Are all of you ready to go back and lay by the pool for awhile? Come on. I’ll show you the way to the boat dock and we’ll wait for our boat to return from the Magic Kingdom. Tell you what; LIZ, you lead the way since you and your family stayed here on your last trip and you know your way around.

Off we go.

The waterfront area has a beach and some areas that are wild and natural, where birds and wild life make their homes. It’s very peaceful here.

I see the boat coming now. I’m sure we’ll all fit since there are only a few people ahead of us waiting. In the morning, the boat goes from the Lodge to the Magic Kingdom, then to Fort Wilderness and back to the Lodge, so we’ll get a direct ride back.

This afternoon, Lowell and I plan to take the boat that goes to the Contemporary. We’ll take a few photos there, then ride the monorail to the Grand Floridian for Afternoon Tea. I’m still worried about Lowell’s table manners. Has anyone ever gotten kicked out of the Tea? I hope we won’t be the first! When we were involved in Civil War reenancting, I read a lot of books about proper etiquette and deportment, and my friends used to consider me “Miss Kay, the oracle of proper behavior.” Will my Victorian training be equal to the task? Will I be able to keep Lowell in line? My palms sweat just thinking about it. I push uncomfortable thoughts away as the boat pulls up to the dock. Let’s get onboard.

Riding the monorail and boats is part of our entertainment on non-park days. It’s so pretty out here on the water when the sun is shining and the water is bright blue. We always sit outside in the bow if seats are available so we can feel the wind in our hair and the sun on our faces. It’s such a treat to have warm weather when it’s cold at home.

The boat reaches the Lodge and the captain wishes us a good day. A line of people on the dock waits for us to get off. We get out and head past them on our way to the pool. I don’t think I want to swim before Tea and get my hair wet, but it’s still cool enough to enjoy the spa for awhile, then we’ll hang out by the pool until Lowell and I need to change for Tea. Technically, those of you who appeared here by some aberration in the Time Dilation Effect, might be considered pool hoppers, whom I am compelled to electrocute, but I’m feeling magnanimous today so I’ll let you live. Besides, it’s still early, so there should be plenty of chairs.

We spot some chairs that back up to a large tree with spreading limbs The chairs are still in the sun, but the tree will keep the sun from beating directly down. The spot looks perfect. We get a couple towels, then hurry over to stake our claim by laying the towels on our chairs. I have a brief mental image of a dog “marking his territory,” but I don’t think I’m ready to carry the chair-claiming ritual quite that far. I eye the lounges warily. Hopefully no one else has taken it that far, either. We’re going to our room to change into swimsuits. If anyone or anything comes around and lifts a leg or otherwise acts suspiciously near our chairs, please shoo them away.

After changing, we head to Roaring Fork with our mugs. Lowell plans to fill the Lodge mug with Sprite. I bravely carry the fraternal twin mug, already full of ice water. We enter Roaring Fork and walk past the cashier, heads held high. I know she is watching us even though she doesn’t turn to look. Her elaborate effort to pretend she is waiting on a customer and paying absolutely no attention to us doesn’t fool me. She’s sly, but I’m on to her. Lowell pops off his mug lid and slides the mug under the dispenser. At that moment I’m nearly certain I glimpse an eyestalk poke from the cashier’s wavy hair and survey us intently, but when I blink it’s gone.

Lowell finishes at the dispenser and presses the lid down tightly. He glances over at me with an odd expression. He’s probably wondering why I’m holding my mug half an arm’s length away as if it might bite me. I raise a brow and tilt my head ever so slightly toward the cashier as if to say “to make sure she sees I’m not filling it.”

The cashier turns to the shelves behind her as we head for the door, ostensibly to rearrange mugs and other items on the shelves, but it’s just a ruse to watch us covertly. As we pass, I glimpse two eyestalks rise from the back of her head and follow our movements. I strongly suspect she isn’t really human. The mind probe last time was the first clue, now this. Her real form is probably something alien and hideous, like the head of an insect on the body of a reptile. Farfetched you say? A freakish alien employed at Disney? I have one word for you: Stitch. And they don’t even bother to disguise him.

I grab Lowell’s arm and yank him out the door.

By the time we reach the pool, I’ve regained my composure. A few more people have arrived but it’s still not crowded. It’s only about 11:30. Our chairs are just as we left them. Lowell adjusts his lounge and settles in to read a book. I head for the spa.

The spa is inhabited by a group of unattended children, ranging from eight to fifteen years old. Not a good idea. I wonder where their parents are. Just then, a woman shows up to claim the entire group. As the kids climb out I give the woman an appraising look, scanning for pool hopper evidence. Something doesn’t feel right about this little group, but I can’t be sure.

Oh well. It’s too nice here to keep my mind on anything but the blue sky, warm breeze, and the bubbling water, which looks ever so inviting now that the spa has been vacated. I climb in slowly because the water feels very hot at first, and it takes a minute before I can sit down and submerge myself. Finally I lean back and give myself over to the pleasure of the heat, and listen to the soothing sound of bubbling, churning water. Steam rises from the water and drifts through the air. Doing nothing is bliss at moments like this. Now that I’m used to it, the water temperature is great, and the breeze which had seemed warm a moment ago now feels refreshingly cool. To my right is the rocky area where the geyser goes off every hour, and the lake beyond. To the left is the pool. Behind the pool the massive walls of the Lodge frame the rocky landscape of Silver Creek and the falls. I remove my mental lens cap and take a picture. Wonderful. The hot water soothes away every worry and care. Clouds drift lazily across the sky. Water bubbles around my shoulders as I submerge deeper. The thump of percolating water near my ears is like a soothing lullaby, and for several minutes nothing else claims my attention. But eventually the heat becomes bit too much and I decide to go back to my lounge and join Lowell.

First, I walk over to the rocky plateau where the geyser is located. A group has formed to wait and watch. It’s nearly noon. People stand in wet swimsuits, in shorts and T-shirts, old and young, couples and families. We don’t wait long. Brief rumbles precede the blast of steam and water that jet upward. The geyser builds up more pressure and shoots higher and higher, accompanied by gleeful cries from children, and appreciative murmurs from adults. The show lasts a couple minutes, then the spray subsides and the group disperses. I wander back to my chair and find more evidence of Time Dilation aberrations. More DIS people have arrived. Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Last time I wrote about hanging out at the pool, many of you said you felt you were there. I invited you to come along next time, and here you are. UtahMama sits in the chair next to Lowell, examining his hat with what she informs me is a strictly professional curiosity. She claims she works with hair. Sitting a few seats away from her are Philadisney, mikamah, TwinkieMama and bunnysmum. I hope you’re enjoying the sun. One row in front of them sit MommyPoppins and NAB reading a book together, and NAB is turning the pages.

I settle into my lounge chair and enjoy the warmth of the sun. This is a great time of year to come to Florida. The air is cool enough that the sun feels great, and it’s not humid.

Sun glints off the water in the pool. Children in the shallow end splash one another and play games. Others practice swimming, paddling furiously toward parents who call encouragement. A few kids wait their turn at the top of the pool slide.

The deep end is quieter, as always, with a few teenagers gathered along one side, and two couples drifting in the current near the far end where the creek flows over the ledge. Stirring music from old Westerns plays softly in the background as we bake lazily in the sun. The Trout Pass Bar is open for those who want drinks, and you can always go buy a souvenir Lodge mug. If you dare. I’m content to sip my ice water and rotisserize myself. We Pale Face women have to keep flipping to brown slowly and evenly. After a few rotations that equal fifteen minutes on each side, it’s time to dress for Afternoon Tea. I glance at Lowell who in one hour is already three shades browner. It isn’t fair.

We’ll be on our way to the Grand Floridian in about fifteen minutes, via a brief stop at the Contemporary. I sure hope Lowell behaves himself. I try to set a good example but sometimes it’s a losing battle. What’s worse, his bad manners occasionally rub off on me. We’re alike in many ways but this is the exception:

I’m Miss Manners and he’s, well . . . he’s Mr. Salad Man !

 

[UtahMama]

Oh Kay! That was a lovely pool-side visit with my favorite people!

Sorry I wasn't able to handle Lowell's hat, though. I had only brought nail clippers and my Lady Bic with which to cut anything with.

I do wish I had remembered my sunblock, though. Bunny and Norah were sure cute together!


Your tour was so descriptive! Thank You!

 

[jw50]

There goes a lizard! I forget what they call these little guys, but there are a lot of them around here, and I’ve heard that people often see deer and rabbits along this path, too.

They call them lizards

 

[Minnie_Moo]

At the rear of the procession I glimpse NMAmy and LIZ running to catch up to Minnie_Moo, celerystalker and Backstage_Gal who have their heads together talking excitedly about something. I hope they aren’t discussing something dangerous they saw in the woods. There may be a few more of you farther back, but I can’t see you from here. Come on; we’d better hurry! We don’t have much farther to go.

You caught us conspiring to go on an Illuminations fireworks cruise together . . . but alas, all we could afford since we didn't have the foresight to purchase a refillable mug (and spent all our spare cash of soft drinks) was the boat ride from Fort Wilderness back to Wilderness Lodge!

 

[tiggerbell]

A family on bicycles rides toward us. They call a cheerful “Good morning,” as they approach. They’re wearing their “it’s good to be alive and at Disney” smiles. Let’s all wave as they pass.

I swear, Kay, my right hand twitched when I read this line! You have such a wonderful way of transporting us with you - so detailed!

I hate the end of a vacation - well, who doesn't? - but I hate coming home and not connecting with people like that anymore. No one gives any more than a mumble - if even that - when you pass on the street here. It's so sad.

 

[TwinkieMama]

Ding! I was just waiting so you would have to hop out of bed!

You caught us conspiring to go on an Illuminations fireworks cruise together . . . but alas, all we could afford since we didn't have the foresight to purchase a refillable mug (and spent all our spare cash of soft drinks) was the boat ride from Fort Wilderness back to Wilderness Lodge!

The real question is why wasn't I there?
And why didn't anyone get a refillable mug and fill it with cheese???



Seriously though- another great installment. As usual, my favorite bits are when you take a flight of fancy to provide us with great visuals such as the Elmer Redneck's laundromat (and wedding chapel) and the city slum themed villas. Goog job!