Spring Fling 2007-Background info/pre-trip

[mindystar]

Who: Myself- Age 28, my ninth trip to the World since 1993, believes that planning is half the fun and loves the friendliness/idealisticness of the World, last trip to WDW was June 2006 for middle sister's wedding and next trip is this December. TR name-Happy
Youngest Sister- Age 21, her ninth trip to the World since 1993, can go from relaxing all day to all four parks in one day, last trip to WDW was June 06 also and next trip is this December. TR name-Skitch(ie)
Mom- Two months younger than dad, Gone on all nine trips with us, plus numerous others with Dad since 1993, loves to escape reality to this real life dream world, last trip to WDW was Dec 06 and next trip is this September. TR name-Sleeping Beauty (SB)
Dad- Almost 232 months older than me, one less trip than mom (since he let me go instead to our middle sister's wedding planning session), goes to Disney to relax, last trip was Dec 06 and next in Sept 07. TR name: Goofy

What: A trip to Walt Disney World!!!

When: April 11-20, 2007

Where: Walt Disney World, Port Orleans Riverside

How: By income tax return, generous offering of day tickets, DDP, Northwest Airlines, ME, Disney Bus Lines, monorail, and ferry.

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Here's a little background for this trip: Goofy, SB, Skitch and I were deciding where to go for our annual vacation. Do we go back to Hawaii or. . . hmmmm. . .Walt Disney World. The only place I was going was to Disney World during Christmas time, cause I've never been there during this holiday season. I really want to experience the Most Wonderful Time of the Year in the Happiest Place on Earth. After some deliberating (and I'll admit a few tears on my part)we decided it would be WDW in December. The rest decided they would go on another trip during the summer time since Skitch said she "needed" to go someplace during the summer since that's when we've always taken vacations. It would probably be back to Yellowstone for them.

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In March they decided to go to WDW in April. It would be close to summer time, but without the crowds and heat/humidity combo. They were all going to get annual passes and their "Spring Fling" trip would be a day longer than our planned vacation in December. SB and Goofy wanted to know if I could go, but I would be using my vacation from work in Dec and other days throughout the year so I couldn't.

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In the middle of March one of my co-workers moved to another department and I had to switch to her schedule. Now we only have 6 people working 24/7, so they do things a little different and switch days off for vacation. On March 25 when one co-worker asked what was going on with my family, I told her they were going to WDW. She knows how much I love this place and wonders why I'm not going with them. I tell her that I didn't want to have to ask her to work 13 days straight just so I could go. She said that she would do it for me, cause she didn't want me to miss out on all the fun. She is such a sweetie , but I told her no.

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Got home that night and just couldn't get it out of mind what she said. So I called my parents to find out how much it would cost to add me to the plan (they go through AAA.) Not a billion dollars, but I'd really have to budget the rest of the year until our next trip. But I would be so depressed if I had the chance to go and didn't take it. Plus with all the stress at work, I needed a break in my Happy Place. So I figured out how to work the money and the next day left an e-mail for my boss at work to see if it would be okay for me to do this, since my vacation/work schedule woudl be weird this year. SB and Goofy told me the cost and said they would need to know if I could go by the Friday, the next day, so I could be added to the trip. I needed to get e-mail confirmation from my supervisor and then ask my co-worker if she would indeed work for me.

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The next day waiting for the e-mail from my supervisor seemed like an eternity. I get to work at 6 a.m., my sup was out of town, and called me around 10:30 a.m. before heading out on a plane for home. She said she didn't get my e-mail until that morning and was out with meetings. She said it was okay if I was okay working my co-worker she would need me to. I told her it would be no problem, and that I was so happy that my dream of going was getting a little closer Next I called my co-worker and asked if she was serious about working for me so I could go to WDW. She said if I would work Easter for her she'd work for me (of course she was totally joking), but I told her I would--plus this would mean she would have one less day to work in a row. So now it's totally whoo hoo time--I get to go, I get to go!!!

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I'm just so used to planning and would get to do none of the sort. We'd be gone in less than two weeks, which doesn't give me much time for the countdown and excitement. To me that's half the fun, but I'm totally ready for getting away from the world and heading to the World that I almost don't care. (Plus it's my own fault, SB asked me to help her with an itinerary. I said "no" since I wasn't going--big baby I know!)

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I did create a count down calendar though:

I was to understand that this would be a relaxing vacation. Even though there was a plan of where to go each day that we may change it up due to how we felt that day. And that there would be no alarms set until the last two days of the trip. I didn't know if I'd be able to do this--on the one hand I'd been getting up at 4:45 a.m. for the last six months for work. On the other hand I've never been a morning chickie either.

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I hope you'll join me on my trip So here goes nothing. . .

 

[mindystar]

Boy, if I don't take notes day-to-day it becomes hard for me to remember exactly what happened. I don't remember clearly what happened the day before we left, but here's what I do remember:
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On Sunday, while watching Desperate Housewives--which is why I remember, I made my LGMH for my purse, bagallini, and mom's bags. I also created some other colors for my luggage tags and attached them where they'd stay. On Tuesday I added lime green thread and attached them to my purse and bagallini.​

Monday was Skitch's birthday. So that night when I got home I went through an old packing list and updated it as I gathered all my items and tossed them into the two suitcases my parents lent me. Tuesday morning I worked on reprinting out a new packing list, updated from last night's hunting and gathering. As I did this I watched an eppy of Buffy--which has become a tradition for me before we leave on vacations.​

Around 10:15 a.m. I got on to making my mom's iron-on shirt for the trip (thanks to Patnl34 for her design!!)​

At 12:54 p.m. I chose a new ringtone for my cell. I chose "Tell Me Something Good" sang by Pink for "Happy Feet." My grandparents are not doing well, so I hoped this would give us a little luck whenever the phone rang Then at 1:19 p.m. I decided I needed to do something to make a great journal for this trip. I knew I really didn't have time to run to Hobby Lobby to get some material to cover a notebook. And that's when it hit me I had a compostion notebook that I got on clearance for .19 early this year. Then there was the iron-on t-shirt that I had planned on tossing. It was starting to crack and didn't fit quite right anymore. I'd just cut up the t-shirt and use that for the fabric and made it like a book cover. On the front I used an identical iron-on as my mom and mine that I had initially made to small. On the back I reattached the orignal iron-on. However, since I really had no idea how to go about creating this it took an hour, but was well worth it ​

Don't remember much of what happened, but do remember that I had listened to MouseWorld Radio on live365.com. That night I took everything back out of my suitcases and repacked (after checking everything off on my packing list of course.) Did all this while watching Dancing With the Stars. Soon I went to sleep.​

Now I did take notes for Wednesday--Day One, so it'll be much better I promise Until then, TTFN!!!!​

 

[mindystar]

"The Day I Almost 'Choked' in Minneapolis and Again in Orlando"

I woke up at 6:59 a.m., but made myself lay there until 7:29 a.m. Got up and took my shower. Took out my make up bags that I had packed up eight hours earlier. Looked at DISboards, e-mail and accuweather. Added the forecast to my copy of the itinerary. Unplugged everything and gathered all the trash to take out. Brouth the luggage to the hallway.​

Took out trash and brought the luggage to the trunk. Headed off to SuperTarget to get cash from the ATM. Next off to the house. It has been snowing wet snow and is cold. It's weird walking around in my Tevas during this kind of weather.​

Snowing in Nebraska

Goofy left to give his parents an extra key and garage remote. I helped SB by looking at the itinerary and other papers. Played with Middle Sister 's puppy Luna for awhile. As I started painting my left hand's nails Goofy came home with some Arbys. Once we were all finished we were finally on the road by noon. It felt so weird all day to know we were leaving on vacation that day, but having all that time to get ready and it was daylight! We usually drive down to WDW and leave around 4 or 5 in the morning. So this was definitely something new!​

We got to the airport and there were no parking spots to be found in long term parking. We drove up and around, and up and around, and up and around. . .til Skitch spied a spot. We still had to around the whole level to get to it though. Before we got to it we feared it would be a handicap spot, but hurray it was not! We parked it next to an identical vehicle!!​

We drug our luggage to drop it off and I had to do mine seperate, since I'm the add-on to the trip Then it's on to the security check. We all passed-whoo hoo! We sat down to put our shoes on and a lday was sitting down wiht a white dog next to her. This dog sat perfectly still--at first I thought it was a stuffed animal.​

We moved closer to our gate and sat across from a single dad and tow cute sons. There was a guy who had walked by with super short cut off jeans. The youngest boy told his dad, and the dad replied that people could make fun of the boy since he had a kleenex up his nose. We found out that they too were headed to WDW. It wasn't too long before we boarded the plane. This would be the only flight that I would be even remotely close to the rest of the family. I sat behind mom in an aisle seat and next to two business men. The flight to Minnesota was fine until the descent and then it went horrible! So much so that it took EVERYTHING I had not to throw up. (Hence the title for this day--when I was little and went on a trip with my mom and grandma to Missouri I threw up in the hotel room {sure you all wanted to know that---sorry!} and then told everyone that I "choked in Missouri.") We got off and had to RUN across the airport to get on our next flight. My feet were okay, but I swore my calves were going to explode. They were making a final boarding call as we were about half-way there. I needed to use the restroom, but we had to baoard. So I sat many rows in front of the family and inbetween a girl reading a book and a guy sitting across the aisle from his wife (I found out at the end of the fligh--otherwise I would have switched seats with her.) This was a three hour flight. I sipped about 1/4 of the cup of water they give you on the airplane, in between sleeping or at least closing my eyes. They told us there was a thunderstorm on the left side of the plane, which is where I was. I didn't get to see it though. Book girl grabbed her camera and took pictures and then I leaned back so the guy could get a look, as well as his wife. Soon we were preparing to land and another bumpy ride. I concentrated on some JT lyrics in my ead, since I've been listening to his CD over and over lately, and seemed to be fine. Then. . .we started taxiing (sp?) and I felt even more like I was going to puke than the last flight. I'm sure I was making lovely sounds. So then it's time to deboard. I get out and wait and wait and wait and wait unitl finally my famly comes out. Now I definitely need to use the ladies room, so that's where we headed.​

It was almost 9 p.m. and was glad the airport was pretty cleared out since I wasn't feeling, nor looking, all that great. We jumped in the "vacuum" to the other side of the airport.

We asked the first Disney person how to get to Magical Express. After I had some Sierra Mist to semi-hydrate myself, we went down the escalator and over to ME. There were SO many open spaces and Goofy was behind one person for ME. I called Middle Sister and told her all about my airline "experiences". It wasn't long until we were put in line for our bus, and we were the only ones walking through the line at the time. When we reached the front the lady told us another lady would take us to our bus as it was waiting. We got on, there was a family of five younguns in the back and a couple towards the front. We sat a few rows behind the couple. Then a gentleman in a suit go on as well. The driver read off where we were all going and the order in which we'd be dropped off. We were dropping the family off first. Then us and the couple at POR. Then Mr. Suit at Wilderness Campgrounds (yeah right!) Goofy said he was probably going somewhere secretive right after we were all off. It was weird driving though Orlando at night to arrive. We've always gotten there earlier in the day, around mid-afternoon or so. This time the driver put on the DVD. Skitch and I didn't get to see it when we had come down for Middle Sister's Wedding Planning in Feb 06. Skitch and I sat by each other and parents across the aisle. We saw a limo and said we wanted to ride in a limo. Then we laughed cause we actually got to our last trip for the wedding. Then we talked about how we were staying at a moderate while we saw the video portion show the Grand Floridian--where we stayed for half our trip last summer. (Actually Skitch and I had been spoiled by Goofy and SB and until this trip had only stayed at GF, Poly, CR, and once at AKL. I've become a monorail resort and I blame my parents ) So again we laughed at ourselves since we had already gotten to enjoy those experiences ​

Soon the family was dropped off and we were getting off at our resort as well. I snapped a few shots as we entered.

Then Goofy went to get us checked in. I snapped a few more shots, then sat down and just about ran the wood engravement on the back of bench into the back of my head.

Hunger drove us to the Riverside Mill. Skitch and I had cheese pizza, SB had the pasta of the day with a breadstick, and Goofy had a hamburger--which he converted into a salad, to stay on track--with a side of pasta salad. I bought the souvenir mug so also got a chocolate mil to have for breakfast the next morning. SB had carrot cake, Skitch a Magic Bar, Goofy a chocolate shake, which he let us all share, and I had a Mickey Crispie Bar dipped in chocolate--I've never had one before--yummers!

After we ate and refilled our drinks we were off to find our room. This was something else we had never done before, by not going to our room first.​

Well it's raining outside, so SB, Skitch and Goofy put on ponchos as they only had three with their carry-on. I threw my Tink hoodie back on. By the time everyone's ready it has changed from raining to terrential downpour. We are running and getting soaked trying to find our room.

As we finally get there, my bags and I are dripping wet. After I peel my clothes off I jump into the shower. Grand Floridian this isn't, but WOW it is! I try blow drying my pajamas (that were in my wet bagallin) dry. Once I'm done, we finish pullilng wet hings out of our wet bags.​

We watches Seinfeld--the Kenny Chicken Roaster one. I started writing our day down while waiting for our luggage to arrive. They came at 12:45 a.m. After getting my contact disinfectant out, I took out my contacts and it wasn't long before I was asleep!​

Stay tuned for Day 2--"Says Here My name is Goofy and I'm Afraid of Big Bad Bugs!"
I also get the pics for this day loaded hopefully tomorrow--got to go to sleep now since I have to be at work before the sun does

 

[mindystar]

"Says Here My Name is Goofy, and I'm Afraid of Big, Bad Bugs!"

[We woke up at 10:00 a.m.--hey that sleeping in thing ain't hard when you go to bed late Finished writing in my journal for yesterday. Watching Gilmore Girls--Sores and Boils Alley. Then we watched some Y & R--Mom and Katie watch this soap, I prefer All My Children./INDENT]

We finally head out and waited at the bust stop as two buses each for the other Parks come and go. I've never seen a bug in WDW until now. And there they were--two humungous-ginormous wasps. I had to move because they kept bothering me. Soon a bus came by and saved me from the wild life hanging out at the bus stop. I stood rather than sitting sidways, I didn't want to tempt the vomit gods. It didn't seem like long before we made it to the MK. We had to go up to guest services to get Goofy, SB and Skitch's annual passes. They had to sign them, so SB pulled a pen out of her Mary Poppin's bag while Skitch tried to use a touch screen pen. It was quite hilarious, especially when she realized that it was a stylus pen and not a ball point ​

The huge wasp thingie in between the two right fan blades.

I went ahead so I could use Dad's day pass on his room key. I was just hoping that I wouldn't get in trouble for doing so. The CM seemed a little peeved and just said, "Ugh, people who can't understand English!!!" I'm guessing that the people who were ahead of me in line was to whom she was refering. I stood and enjoyed watching the flowers and people getting their pictures taken while waiting for the rest of the group to get their annual passes together and get inside the park.​

Soon we were all together again. Since SB was having a wire problem, we headed over to the restrooms so she could check it out. We came in by Tony's so we had to cross over. Once SB came back out we watched the Family Day Parade as it circled around. We walked down main Street to clear skies and the freshly painted castle--it looked so clean and new! We made ou way over to Pinocchio's Haus. Goofy had a salad, SB a sandwich meanl, and Skitch and I had Figaro Fries. They were good, but nothing I'd write home aobut. We sat next to one of the windows to watch the IASW boats go by. Goofy ordered a cannnoli that Skitch and I shared.​

Family Day Parade

Eating at PH

View of the people going into IASW

After eating we decided to ride IASW for ourselves. While in line outside I realized that I had put no sunscreen on--I the girl who turns into a lobster at home for standing outdoors ten minutes with no protection on. Well that's just swell! I had also forgot to bring my spray on kind as well. (A mistake that I never made again for this trip!) We tell them four people and they put all four of us in one row. Do they even look at the people who will be riding together? I put my arm around Skitch so she wouldn't be SUPER squished. After we disembarked I noticed that Middle Sister had called, so I called her back. We chatted for a bit. She said how she soo wished she was down there with us, but also told me to make sure that I enjoyed myself.​

Next up we headed to the Haunted Mansion. I sat with SB, since I've never rode this ride with her. Goofy tortured her from his and Skitch's seat. I pointed out the Hidden Mickey plates to her and she showed me the deuling pictures up above them. I'm always too busy watching the spirits dance below. We then headed towards Splash Mountain and got some fast passes for after dinner. Middle Sister called again. This time I heard the ringtone, and by the time I realized the song was my phone she had already got to my voice mail. I called her back and had to shove my finger in my ear to hear her. She's a teacher and was telling me about decisions they were making for next year. I told her how hard it was to hear her and she told me what a poor baby I was. I couldn't be mad though, I feel the same way when I'm at home and others are in WDW.​

HM ghost horse drawn carriage

We then waited in line to ride the choo choo. We decided to split up and Goofy and Skitch got off at Mickey's Toon Town Fair and walked to Tomorrowland to ride some rides. SB and I went to Main Street and got off to do some shopping. We started off at the camera shop and SB found an album she liked and I found and bought a lanyard for Middle Sister , to have something to put her wedding pins on. We looked at the YOAMD flashy ears and walked through the candy shoppe--I said I'd wait for Goofy's in DTD. SB found a shirt she liked for one of my cousin's back home-HSM, he loves it!​

I found the Tink poster/pictures of her in the four different seasons that I always thought were so pretty. I realized that I could get them now because I'm doing my bathroom in Tink. They were also reasonably priced at $15 each. I didn't buy any now though. I saw the Fairy Tale Wedding Cinderella doll--she had a pretty pick-up skirt wedding gown on--I'll have to take a picture of it next time for Middle Sister We then looked at the Precious Moments, there's one of a Christmas tree that I'll want to buy in December, it was $60. Then we stepped outside and sat at a table where there was no one else in the area. We watched a CM take her balloons "behind the scenes." After about 10-15 minutes we continued on. We saw the change/refurbishment of Arribas Bros. and the Bakery. It looks like a much better situation. It reminded me of eathing there for the start of our Girl's Day/Bachelorette Party for Middle Sister last year.​

SB was ready to get some more bottled water. We got behind two moms and their sons, deciding how to use and how many snack credits were left. I saw they had a new souvenir popcorn bucket for YOAMD and knew I had to have it, but didn't want to carry it through the park. After getting the water we headed to the other side of Main Street to continue shopping. We saw SB's crocs, well not her same color combo and the Jibbits as well. We made it to the Emporium and I saw the Hiddne Mickey book. I went ahead and bought it. I figured it would money well spent. After that we wnet to the firehouse to look at things for Luna. It made SB a little sad, because it reminded her of Peanut (our family dog who passed away the day after 7th birthday in January.) Mom went ahead and made Luna a "Pluto bone" charm for her collar.​

We still had a good half hour before meeting up with Katie and Dad in front of the Crystal Palace for dinner. We walked that way and then some, next to Adventureland to a free bench. I pulled out my Hidden Mickey book and started reading the meaning behind it to SB. I kept saying Midden Hickeys and couldn't stop. While I was reading a CM came up to us and started talking about Midden Hickeys, I mean Hidden Mickeys. I noticed that she had a stachel/laptop bag on her shoulder. I knew I had seen a bag like that on the DISboards--a CM for YOAMD! Soon though she left us to look at the ducks with a mom and her small children. I then got a good look at the logo on her back and sure enough--YOAMD. So I pointed it out to SB​

Right before we got to the actual Hidden Mickey section it was time to go over to the Crystal Palace to wait for/meet Goofy and Skitch. There was no sign of them. Soon SB had to check us in and came back with the beeper. She said she saw one lady trying to answer it like a phone when it went off.​

Well that's all for right now, gotta go play with the puppy for awhile. Hopefully Skitch and Goofy will be joining us for dinner and we make it to SM to use our FP! Hope someone is enjoying reading and I'm not too boring Have a Magical Day​

 

[praisehisname]

I'm really enjoying your trip report so far! Do you have more pictures?

Denise

 

[OhMari]

Hi,
You are really lucky you got to WDW on the 11th of April. Did you see stranded people sitting around at MCO. I am from Wisconsin, and many of our friends were suppose to go home on the 11th and their fligts got cancelled. Many couldn't get flights home till Sat. the 14th. I guess MN didn't get the snow that Wisconsin did.

I forgot about the big Thunderstorm that was at WDW the 11th. I sat out on my balcony and watched the storm come in. We were over at the boardwalk, and we were used to Fantasmic and the Epcot fireworks that my dh didn't even notice till he saw a huge lightning flash.

Looking forward to hearing the rest of your TR. We stayed at POR our 1st 4nites. Our room ws 9425 in the Mansions. I should have taken a picture of our door.

 

[mindystar]

Hi,
Did you see stranded people sitting around at MCO. I am from Wisconsin, and many of our friends were suppose to go home on the 11th and their fligts got cancelled.

Yikes!!! I saw a group of younger people down where we loaded onto ME. Otherwise it was pretty empty and quiet--a stark contrast to when we left a week later!

I forgot about the big Thunderstorm that was at WDW the 11th. I sat out on my balcony and watched the storm come in.

I guess I'm kind of glad that it happened at the beginning of the trip--and we weren't on our way to the airport soaking wet. But ughhh!!!

Thanks so much to both of you for reading and responding!!!!

 

[mindystar]

Okay, where did I leave off. . .Oh yeah, we're missing half the crew for dinner time.

About two minutes before our beeper whent off Goofy and Skitch showed up. The Comedy Club took a little longer than they had allotted for. We went in and it was loud--I couldn't hear our server when she asked if we had ate there before or not. We've eaten there for breakfast, but never dinner. So since I didn't answer her SB did, and I probably looked dazed and confused. Our server took our drink order. Boo--there was no cherry flavored drink and it's Coke to boot (I am a Pepsi girl and especially love Diet Cherry Pepsi, but Coke beats the tap water in WDW!)​

Mmmm. . .the salads were good. Especially this tropical slaw. It had coconut it, but after awhile it started to taste like my Christmas Pine room spray smells like. Then it was main course time. Tried some Mahi-Mahi--and guess what? It tasted like fish--yuck!!! (None a big fan of sea food.) But SB and Goofy said it wasn't good either, and they love Mahi-Mahi. Then for dessert I got a little bit of alost everything. I've never done that before--usually it's just one dessert and that's it. Mmmmm. . .I liked the strawberry cheesecake and the faln was a suprise hit with my tastebuds ​

Looking at the fastpass time we knew we had to go. SpectroMagic had already begun on Main Street. This meant we had to go the back way. We had never used a fast pass for Splash Mountain (I couldn't believe I never realized that before!), so we had to ask a CM where the entrance was. We flew past those poor people in the stand-by line. That would definitely be up Middle Sister's alley. Within five minutes we were being loaded on our ride vehicle with Skitch and I front and center. We got DRENCHED! On each drop we did the "Please refrain from bad dancing" pose ​

There was a short line to ride again, but we chose to watch the parade instead. We cozied up to some rocks and watched the parade as it came to the end of the line. While watching we heard them making announcements on SM for people to keep their hands inside their vehicle. Then they stopped the ride, SB said it was because someone was splashing the water. A CM came out and talked to the teen/young adult causing the issues and off the vehicles went.​

After the parade we moved with the wave of people towards the front of the castle to watch Wishes! Afterwards I asked if we could ride Pirates, since Skitch and I haven't rode it since the "upgrade." It lived up to the pics and videos we had seen, and it definitely looked like Captain Jack Sparrow/Johnny Depp. We then walked over to Bwana Bob's where I couldn't believe it was still open. I bought Middle Sister and myself shell anklets. Mine is for happiness and Middle Sister was for wealth. I'm sure that after I put mine on it will still be on for Christmas at Disney. As I was waiting to pay another CM came by and closed up the shop. I stood behind a dad and daughter. Right before they were done, a group of girls came up and stood behind the cashier. After the dad/daughter transaction ended the gaggle of girls enclosed in on the cashier, but she said that I had been next in line. How sweet-especially since I wouldn't have said anything and let them go first.​

We decided it was time to say good-bye for the day. As we exited the MK I bought the bucket of popcorn. I think it will look great with the others on my kitchen counter. Then we headed toward the POR bus line, and boy was it full. They made us all squeeze on to one bus. Yikes I hoped that we didn't get into an accident with all of us standing there. I put all of my wight on my poor right foot and hung on for dear life as we sped up, slowed down, twisted and made turns. My right elbow joint was killing me when we got off. We stopped at the first stop and then we learned that next time the second stop is the one closer to our room.​

SB called Middle Sister to check on SB's mom. As we made it to the room SB then called her mom, Skitch and Goofy got ready to go to the pool and I took a shower. When I got out they were still in the room. They had gone down to the pool at 12:01 a.m. and the pool closed at midnight. I wrote in the trip journal while Skitch listened to her IPOD and the other two watched some sitcom.​