DIS Dads The DIS Dad's Club IV - Man Laws & Cheese Balls

[that's nice]

Hey if you win you can sock it for your next WDW trip

I'm going to stay away from AC (50 min trip) when they go away, I'd be able to fill my car up with friends to go with no problem, but after some of the trips we made there most likely we would get into some kind of trouble they can be a quite unruley bunch although we usally come out ahead$$$$$$$$

Are you saying your AC trips are like the 'Hangover'? I love that movie. HILL-AIR-E-US!

I think the hard part would be getting a few friends to go with me... all my friends are married w/kids. I can see a solo trip in my future.... it would give me time to concentrate and play poker.

 

[MiJo]

Our Navy son finishes up in Pensacola today and flies back to MD this evening. On Tuesday, he had to demonstrate that he could jump into the air intake of an F-18 to inspect it. He did that with no problem. He didn't really tell us what he did yesterday other than some interviews. Today, he probably gets to do a pre-flight checklist with one of the Crew Chiefs before the Blue Jets leave for an airshow in GA. He also has some more interviews to do before heading out. He really loves this and he's really excited to have had this opportunity. Now, we just have to wait to see if he's selected.

Looks like GKTW has stalled. It would really be nice if we could reach at least $1000 by the end of the month!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

My DW just booked a weekend trip to Florida in 4 weeks to visit her cousin and godson with our DD. So that means that I am going to be home alone for 3 days... should I go 'old school' and throw a huge party like I used to do when my parents went away?

But who would you find to play music at the party?

Our Navy son finishes up in Pensacola today and flies back to MD this evening. On Tuesday, he had to demonstrate that he could jump into the air intake of an F-18 to inspect it.

Please tell me step 1 is "make sure it's turned off"
Good luck MiJo Jr! We're all praying for you!

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

So, 8 people make a grand gathering. Other than having Grand Gathering status, will getting ADR's be easier or harder? I guess i'm asking if I should call the grand gathering number first on my 180 day window, or the reservation phone #?

I have a Grand Gathering going in Dec too, I plan on using the GG number for the ADR's where we are all together and the regular ADR number for those with smaller parties. I'm using the GG number to be sure we all sit together and for Breakfast at Tony's.

 

[that's nice]

But who would you find to play music at the party?

My iPod and a speaker.

Unless this it turns into something crazy.. I might have a few connections.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

It sure is....


On a side note...

My DW just booked a weekend trip to Florida in 4 weeks to visit her cousin and godson with our DD. So that means that I am going to be home alone for 3 days... should I go 'old school' and throw a huge party like I used to do when my parents went away?

Hmm...does it coincide with any major sporting events? I sense a DIS Dads event in Connecticut.

 

[MiJo]

Please tell me step 1 is "make sure it's turned off"
Good luck MiJo Jr! We're all praying for you!

The engines were not running or he wouldn't have had to jump very hard! He is coming home for the weekend so we'll see him tomorrow. He feels very good about the interview but there are still 3 more candidates to interview. We'll see how it goes. He should know in a few weeks or so if he got the position. Oh yeah, his name is David; he's an AO2 and he's been in the Navy for almost 4 years.

 

[trennr]

Well I'm back form DC.

It wasn't Disney...not even the Beach...but we had a good time for the most part. Could post some Pictures and a mini TR here if anyone is interested.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I think I just took obsessive-compulsive vacation planning to a new level. I was checking out the availability of ADR's at Le Cellier for the week in September that we're planning to be there this year. There was only one opening left for the whole week. So, I grabbed it and went ahead and made the rest of my ADR's as well.

What's so unusual, you ask? Well...I haven't even booked my trip yet.

We've been waiting to see if they offer free dining. But I figured it's free to make the reservations and I can always cancel, so why not?

So, am I crazy?
Or crazy like a fox?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Well I'm back form DC.

It wasn't Disney...not even the Beach...but we had a good time for the most part. Could post some Pictures and a mini TR here if anyone is interested.

Welcome back Nate! Glad you had a good time, even if it wasn't Disney.

I'd love to see pictures or a mini-TR! Either here or the Dads website.

Did you run into any Brazillions?

 

[trennr]

I think I just took obsessive-compulsive vacation planning to a new level. I was checking out the availability of ADR's at Le Cellier for the week in September that we're planning to be there this year. There was only one opening left for the whole week. So, I grabbed it and went ahead and made the rest of my ADR's as well.

What's so unusual, you ask? Well...I haven't even booked my trip yet.

We've been waiting to see if they offer free dining. But I figured it's free to make the reservations and I can always cancel, so why not?

So, am I crazy?
Or crazy like a fox?

Hungry like a Wolf????

 

[that's nice]

Hmm...does it coincide with any major sporting events? I sense a DIS Dads event in Connecticut.

The only thing going on that weekend is the Yankees -vs- Twins. Besides that not much doing.

Although a beer pong tourney would make for a fine sporting event.

 

[that's nice]

I think I just took obsessive-compulsive vacation planning to a new level. I was checking out the availability of ADR's at Le Cellier for the week in September that we're planning to be there this year. There was only one opening left for the whole week. So, I grabbed it and went ahead and made the rest of my ADR's as well.

What's so unusual, you ask? Well...I haven't even booked my trip yet.

We've been waiting to see if they offer free dining. But I figured it's free to make the reservations and I can always cancel, so why not?

So, am I crazy?
Or crazy like a fox?

Well played Mark...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mApfYMvgfRs

 

[trennr]

Welcome back Nate! Glad you had a good time, even if it wasn't Disney.

I'd love to see pictures or a mini-TR! Either here or the Dads website.

Did you run into any Brazillions?

As a matter of fact I did. There was at least a family of 3 in my Capitol Tour Group.

 

[trennr]

So what happens when you take 4 Rednecks from Tennessee and throw them in to the Public Transportation System (aka Metro) of Washington DC...

Well...we got started about 1 hour later than expected because I kept hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock. I got up and packed Bessy (our 2008 Chrysler T&C)...and we hit the road about 7:30am.

We went the total of about 2 miles to the Shell at the intersection of Hwy 11E and Boone St...I filled up the tank...while DS15 (Jayce) filled up our cooler with Ice. Short time later I'm back on the road...Boone St. eventually becomes Boone's Creek Hwy aka hwy354...about 8 Miles and I pick up I-26 West to I-81 N...form there on into Virginia. Only thing of real interest that caught my attention was a bridge we crossed labeled "Route 666 - Hog Back Road"

We make it to the greater Roanoke area and stop at Mickey D's for some Breakfast around 9:45am. Back on the Road north toward I-66 E. Driving up I-81 is pleasent enought...pretty scenery...just like Tennessee with Mountains and Farm Land on both sides.

At about exit 269 in I-81 I see this massive collection of Satelite Dishes and wonder what the heck that could be. It turns out to be called Mt. Jackson Earth Station.

We finally reach Exit 300 (that's 300 miles north-east of Tennessee) and take I-66 toward DC. We get off in Manassas to Fuel-up and make nature visits.

Back on the Road and after a few wrong turns...we end up at our Hotel (Days Inn). OK I admit this place DOES NOT look like the Pictures on the Internet...but it's a national chain and we are going to just be sleeping here...so I go ahead and check in. I go up stairs and look around...seems clean enough...check the box springs/Matress... Not bed bugs...but some noticable/questionable stains. I get back to the van...and DW (Mel) is about to have a panic attack...I knew this was not going to work. So I go inside and the Manager is very accomdating and even suggest a few Hotels down the block...problem is...they are booked.

Doing a little GPS research I find us a room at the Best Western-Pentagon...nice rooms in a nicer looking area...the beds appear to have just been replaced Queens too...and the Rates were great too...for DC. Tragedy averted.

So we unpack the van and make it back to the lobby just in time to catch the next Hotel shuttle to Pentagon City Mall...where we get introduced to the METRO.

Down into the Bowls we go...this connection point has both the Blue and Yellow Lines and both will get us to the "Mall" We wanted to get on the BLue Line and get off at the Smithsonian Station...but we got on Yellow by mistake...and ended up getting off at the Archives Station...which is about a block North of the "Mall"...except...riding a Metro can really throw off your sense of Direction...so we accidentaly walk a block in the wrong direction...until I realize our error and now we have to walk 2 blocks back to get to the "Mall"

Finally we arrive!!!!
there is Cinderella's Castle...ummm I mean the Capitol.

DS10 (Chance aka Tiny) and the Capitol...

Looking the other Direction is the Washington Monument (Note how the Wind is blowing up the dust...very Windy and Cold)

They were having some sort of Earth Day Celebration all week and there were tents set up all over the Mall area.

Here's Sleeping Beauty's Castle...ummm the Smithsonian Castle...

Washington Monument up Close...note the 2 colors of stone.

A Rare Family Photo...

the Boy's at the the Tennessee Column at the WWII Memorial...

We then went to the Vetenam Memorial...but I was so awe struck byt the multitude up names on the wall...that I did not get any pictures...sorry...

Then Lincoln's Memorial...

Picture of the Washington Memorial and the Capitol from the Lincoln.

It is now about 7pm and we need to head back to the Metro...as Mel is insistant we get back to the Pentagon City Mall by Dark so we can get our Shuttle back our room...before it is too late...

So on the way back we stop by the Korean War Memorial...My Dad served in Korea so I took several Pictures for him.

cont...

 

[trennr]

So...that was pretty much it for Day 1...We got back on the Metro and road back to the Pentagon City Mall...went to the Food Court and ate at Johnny Rockets. Got on our Hotel Shuttle...showers...bed.

We get up early for Day 2 (Sunday) as we have 9:45am Appointment for the National Archives. After Breakfast we had a few minutes to kill so we checked out the Hotel Gift Shop...saw these babies and thought of Barry...

Things go smooth on both the Shuttle and Metro...we get on Yellow this time on purpose and make it to the Archives with an Hour Plus to spare. Jayce wanted to get a Hard Rock T-Shirt...it's about one block over and 2 blocks up.

To get there we walk by this place... and I think of Fed Fuzz.

Boy gets his shirt...and we walk up to see the outside of Ford Theater (aka the place where Lincoln was shot)...

Directly across the street is the House in which he later died...not the Bus load of people getting off...

From there we head back to the Archives...basically our reservation just lets us skip the line outside...

Once inside...no Photos allowed...the thousnds of flashes every day was over exposing these important yet fragile documents... But I did sneak this on inside the elevator...

The Constitution is in remarkable shape for it's age...the Declaration of Independence...not so good...it and the Bill of Rights are very faded.

The other document are important in their own right...but these 3 are what most come to see...they quite letting people take Pictures back in Febuary of this year...oh well at least we got to see them...way cool.

From here we head to the Natural History Museum...
OK...ALLOT of my pictures here did not turn out worth a flip...need to take lessons from Daddy-O. This museum is really "Sold-Out" on the whole evolution thing...and there are allot of bones/ replicas of Dinos...a whole wing dedicated to what they think early man looked like...funny how there's not any evidence of this.
I saw this little guy and thought of "Scrat" from the Ice-Age movies...He finally got his Acorn.

Mastadon

Thought of Daddy-O...

Also saw the Hope Diamond (45.5 carats)...and it's sister the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond (31.? Carats) Impressive stones...sorry Mel...I can't afford that one...nor the other.

We are finished with this museum in just under 2 hours as we don't stop and read e v e r y s i n g l e t h i n g... like I witnessed many people doing.

By this time we are hungry...we head out the rear entrance...time for a street DOG. We check out some of the Street vendors for souviners...they all pretty much have the same stuff...it's all a matter of finding one who will "deal" with you.

So we finish our dogs...find a gift or 2 and walk up the street toward the American History Museum...I wish I had taken video of this guy...as he was excellent... he played these buckets and trash cans...even the cart...like a pro...the sound was amazing...

Now onto the American History Museum...We really liked this Museum. Spent about 3 Hours in here.

Star Tours...

Mickey Ears...

Found this Bus Funny...as my kids are in Washington County Schools back in TN.

Look Dumbo...

Kermit...

And the Lion King...

Chance takes his turn as Ronald Reagan giving his Innagural Address...

There is one display I wish I could have had a picture of...but alas no pictures allowed... They have THE FLAG that inspire the "Star Spangled Banner" aka our National Anthem...I wish I could discribe this display...but I could not do it justice...lets just say Jaw Dropping.

So we finish off the American History. Next Stop...the White House...

 

[trennr]

Be sure you caught all of Part 2...as I did a little on Friday...and a little late Saturday....

OK...we just finished the American History Museum...and had one more Goal for the Day The White House.

The Back...note the MIB on the Roof.

and the front...

Rare Family Photo 2...

We set down in Layfayette Park and enjoy some peace...

We head to the Metro...McPherson Square station is about 1 Block North...and we hop on the Blue...we still have some Daylight left...so we get off at the Pentagon...to visit the 9-11 Memorial there...

They have this field of benches...some point toward the Building (For people on the plane)...while others point away (for those whom were in the Building)...

You can see where they have been rebuilding...

We head back to the Room and grab some more Johnny Rockets...but we take it to go this time and eat in the room...

After we eat and stretch a little we drive to the Jefferson Memorial...again I need some photo leasons as my picture did not turn out well in the Dark. Which is a shame as Thomas Jefferson is one of my Favorite Founders.

That is pretty much it for this day...hotel...showers...bed...

NEXT DAY...we have a 9:50am appointment set for a Capitol Tour.

We catch the Blue Line and get off at the Capitol South station...from there it is a block and a half to the Capitol Building...

There is the Library of Congress...

Outside the Capitol...awaiting inspection...

A replica of the Liberty Statue on top of the Capitol...

Looking up into the Dome...

Regan...and a Tour Guide Who stepped into my shot...Note the little strip of white/speckled stone in the base ...this is made from pieces of the Berlin Wall.

Once the Tour is over...we head to the Library of Congress via the Tunnel connecting it to the Capitol.

Well the main Study hall is by Appointment only and...no Pictures allowed from the observation deck...bummer...it was pretty. This place was hotter than Blazes too...

So we leave the Library...and walk up the Street to the outside of the Supreme Court Building...

We grab another Street Dog...before we go into the Air and Space Museum...
This Museum had the most traffic of any we went in to...anyway here are a few Pictures...

Replica of the Hubble...

Model of the International Space Station...

THE Wright Brother's Plane...

THE Spirit of St. Louis...

Uranus...rim shot...

Sitting across the way from where the solar system was displayed...I was waiting on the Boys to get done playing on a touch screen for something...I looked up and noticed this shadow...on Saturn...

Found the Entrprise too...inside a gift shop...

We spent about 2 hours and a half here...then we hop on the Metro to Arlington...where we elect to buy the Tour Tickets...

Kennedy's Grave...

Tomb of the Unknown Solder(s)...

Changing of the Guard...

Some of the neatly lined Graves with Gov't issued Stones...

By the time we got back on the Tour Bus at the Tomb of the unknown...the Cemetery was about to close...so we called it a day...went back to the Hotel...and mapped out a route to a Mall for Mel to find some of her favorite stores...and we ate at a Bob Evan's...for a taste of home.

Tomorrow...the National Zoo...Union Station...and Packing...

 

[trennr]

so today was an extra day...planned for anything we might have missed...

My oldest DS15 had made a list of 25-30 places/things he wanted to visit/see...some he was satisfied by just laying eyes on the Building...for example the Supreme Court Building yesterday.

Today...the National Zoo...feature target...Pandas...

So we take the Monorail...um Metro...Yellow Line to "Chinatown" and switch to the Red Line...this one has a Stop labeld for hte National Zoo...Well we get off the train and head for the exit...and I glance up at this escalator... I'm like...OMG!!! are we at the Earth's Core...this thing must go up 8-10 stories...and man is it steep... Here's a shot I took coming back down...about 1/3 of the way down...you can't really appreciate the steepness of the slope from this Picture...but I was having some serious battles with vertigo...

Well we finally reach the top...guess what...the Zoo is 4 blocks away...up Hill...da#n Panda...

Well we see the Panda...he's is apparently a master of avoiding eye contact and Pictures...cause here is the best I was able to get...

The Female was else where in a house for her pregnancy.

We continue on and start noticing...we are walking down hill all the way...I check the map...best I can tell there isn't anything at this zoo that we do not have back in Knoxville...heck we even have Giraffes not 10 mile from my house... Everyone is pretty beat and we decide to walk back out and to the Metro...We stop at a 7-Eleven across from the Zoo. Big Gulps for Mel and the Boy's...Frozen Mt. Dew Slurpee for me...

We get to walk back 4 blocks...and decend back into Hades...and we catch the Red to Union Station...had a brain pause herebecause I didn't take any Pictures of this Building...but I did get one of Tiny and Barrack...note the Bunny Ears...good kid...he' going to turn out alright...

So we had a late start today...and these 2 Stops ate up most of the day...so back to the Hotel for an early night...as we drive home tomorrow...

The NEXT day we get uparound 9ish...and are ready to go after Breakfast and settleing the bill... We do have one more stop to make...about 30 minutes out of town...but on our way...the Smithsonian has the Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center at the Washington Dulles Airport...now folks...THIS IS an Air and Space Museum...

Here are a few Pics...

Tomcat

SR-71

Mothership from Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind...

Space Shuttle Enterprise...

THE Enola Gay...

A Concord...

Wow this was an amazing place...we did not leave until 2:30pm... and we still have about 6-7 hour of road time...

I make good time getting back...almost got caught doing 75 in a 65...but he pull over a Prius instead...seriously...

Well that pretty much it...thanks for tuning in.

 

[stopher1]

Well I'm back form DC.

It wasn't Disney...not even the Beach...but we had a good time for the most part. Could post some Pictures and a mini TR here if anyone is interested.

Welcome back! I'd like to see some...haven't been to DC in @ 12 yrs.

I think I just took obsessive-compulsive vacation planning to a new level. I was checking out the availability of ADR's at Le Cellier for the week in September that we're planning to be there this year. There was only one opening left for the whole week. So, I grabbed it and went ahead and made the rest of my ADR's as well.

What's so unusual, you ask? Well...I haven't even booked my trip yet.

We've been waiting to see if they offer free dining. But I figured it's free to make the reservations and I can always cancel, so why not?

So, am I crazy?
Or crazy like a fox?

Not at all crazy! Way to go! BTW... strong rumor has FD being announced on or around May 3. Running from @ Sep 1 - Oct 2

 

[DEA]

I think I just took obsessive-compulsive vacation planning to a new level. I was checking out the availability of ADR's at Le Cellier for the week in September that we're planning to be there this year. There was only one opening left for the whole week. So, I grabbed it and went ahead and made the rest of my ADR's as well.

What's so unusual, you ask? Well...I haven't even booked my trip yet.

We've been waiting to see if they offer free dining. But I figured it's free to make the reservations and I can always cancel, so why not?

So, am I crazy?
Or crazy like a fox?

I've done this for both planned trips this year, well ahead of booking the trip. As you say, it doesn't cost anything... well, except for CRT. Even for that, though, you can get your money back.

So I vote for not crazy at all. It's a cutthroat world, those ADRs...