Trip Report The Dry Heat Expedition (Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Disneyland)--UPDATE 6/12 (KSC and DTD)

[Steppesister]

Oh. My. Goodness. Sure it wasn't one of your better moments.

Actually reminds me of another fine moment in Doofus History....

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Well, how long did he sleep during the day while you were all busting your a... ???

I dunno. I wasn't paying attention.

Yeah, if it doesn't close, slam harder!!!!

Well, it works most of the time.

Ouch.

Yeah. It really stinks when you only have yourself to blame.

Well, at least you don't have to lug that camera home. 1 less thing to carry!

Hey, there's a bright side for everything!

Hey, I think we've got that in our family too.

It seems to be a common affliction around these parts.

Oh dear Lord. That is scary. Scotty and Dave, with a bag of sugar.

Probably makes Drew at 2 am look like nothing.

They're kind of hyper no matter what happens.

A coke deal gone bad...

I wouldn't know...

I couldn't help but wonder that when I was there. What exactly do you have to do to work somewhere that has a conference at Disneyland?

If you figure it out, let me know. We can submit our applications together!

Clearly...

Aw, come on. It's at least a little funny.

Um... wow.

BACON!!!

So much awesome.

Awesome = BACON!!!

Then they should be called the Delaware Little Jerrys. Much more intimidating than Blue Hens.

+1 for the Seinfeld reference.

Bacon... big burger... Yeah...

I'm just really disappointed that you didn't get this post up about 2 months ago.

Well, now you have a reason to go back. Somehow Randall knew about it. Maybe he saw it on Facebook.

Looks like you should speed up.

That speed may or may not have been deliberate. I knew better than to post a photo of the actual speed we may/may not have been achieving.

Even Drew?

Sigh...no.

That's how I roll too. Won't find me holding up the process.

I just want to get through that line as fast as possible. I'll find my stuff in my bag later.

That just sucks. There's no other way to put it.

Yes. Yes, it does. And once again, I have no one to blame but myself.

I just don't even know what to say. Here...

Thanks. I could have used one or six.

In your mind? Like using the force on him??? Because I'd really want to hurt him.

If I could have used the Force, it would have been used for Force-choking purposes.

Noooo!!! We'll take the next bus.

I may or may not have crop-dusted him.

 

[that's nice]

Actually reminds me of another fine moment is Doofus History....

I don't know what you are referencing.

If you are talking about me, I have so many of those moments. Please remind me which particular moment you are thinking of.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Ouch...that had to hurt.

I'm sure the camera felt worse than I did. But not by much.

I am going to now; I don't care for the things at all. But you can tell that David and Scotty did.

It's fried dough and sugar. How can you not like fried dough and sugar? First Dole Whips, now this!

Just please tell me you still like bacon.

It is stunning!

Ummmm....I think you forgot a child.

No, just too lazy to wheel him out there.

Although knowing you, I knew it was a burger place, it looks like a fancy steakhouse on the outside.

It does look fairly classy, now that you mention it. Especially for a place that is trying to kill you with bacon.

You'd have had to call 911 for me.

But the burger is worth it!

I lost a quote somewhere. We have Claim Jumpers her. We liked it the first time. The second two times...done with it.

Yeah, we liked it more in 2008. This time it was fine, but nothing special.

I haven't figured out how to quote "pictures", but that is the cutest picture of Drew ever! Looking forward to the wrap up Mark.

Thanks! That was back when he would allow us to put goofy hats on him.

I wonder if anyone saw your "leftovers" and felt an urge to roll up Franklins?

Between you and Andy, I'm starting to get very worried here...

Anyway, I LOL'd at the irony of the Joshua Trees. So FUNNY!

Stupid @#$% Joshua Trees.

As well as the masterfully done Idiot Job of the car keys in the bag. Only because that's a move I'd make.

I am a moron. I deserved every bit of abuse my family gave me over that move.

I'll bet it felt good to be back in your own bed(s), even if you'd be up twice a night. At least you know you won't be waking up neighbors in hotel rooms next door.

There is some truth to sleeping in one's own bed. But honestly, I dread going back to work more than I do strange hotel beds. I'd rather keep traveling! Unfortunately, I have to go back to work to pay for the next vacation.

Anyway, it took over a year of life...but Drew is finally sleeping through the night.

 

[KatMark]

I'm sure the camera felt worse than I did. But not by much.

I bet.

It's fried dough and sugar. How can you not like fried dough and sugar? First Dole Whips, now this!

I do LOVE the Cronut though.

Just please tell me you still like bacon.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE bacon and am actually having it for dinner tonight with the Mickey Waffles Mark is making me.

 

[Leshaface]

7:43 a.m.—Look at that! We slept in. For us, anyway.

Dare I say, I miss these days. Only on Disney vacations though. My own personal alarm and i'm A-OK with that!

Maybe it’s because I put my video camera down on the ledge, right where the door is supposed to close. The same video camera that used to have a flat top, and is now concave.

Oh no...

I realize what I’ve done, and try to power on the camera to see if it still works. Nothing.

OH NO!!! That really, really stinks. Not the best way to begin your morning.

Our family suffers from a genetic condition known as DDP: Disney Departure Procrastination

Phew, I thought we were the only family to suffer from DDP.

We’re treating our condition by heading once more to Downtown Disney.

Excellent treatment option

These look divine! Haven't tried them from this exact spot, but have tried them in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. Wonder if they're the same?

Love seeing the evidence all over the ground and table tops!

If it doesn't get all over the place, it doesn't belong in your face

9:52 a.m.—We spend a few minutes just wandering the lobby and dreaming of actually being able to stay here someday. Scotty probably doesn’t really need to go to college, so if we can skip those payments maybe we’ll be able to afford it.

College is totally overrated nowadays.

Yay glad you were able to get this picture with annoying people in the way!

…50% ground bacon.

Oh dear. This sounds phenomenal.

Please stop.

This is why i'm soooo not looking forward to driving to Vegas. There are no direct flights being offered out of our local airport so it's either driving to LAX and take a direct or drive and save $200 but have about a 12 hour roundtrip. And I hear the drive is BO-RING!

For the first time ever on an Oblivious Family Road Trip, I relinquish the wheel to my lovely wife.

I've done this a few times for DH. And i'm sure i'll have to do this if we do have to drive to Vegas.

We head to yet another local chain restaurant, Claim Jumper.

They have the best heath bar cookies!

4:20:23 p.m.—My keys are still in my carry-on bag.

Oh my gosh. What a freakin' day.

4:43 p.m.—We drive all the way around the terminal. At the last stop, the driver tells me I have to get off. He isn’t allowed to let me stay on.

4:44 p.m.—Well, that would have been nice for you to tell me when I asked the question. Especially considering the Southwest terminal was the first stop, and now Dave and I have to walk back around the ENTIRE AIRPORT to get back there.

I'm shocked you had that much composure to just not lose it right there and then.

he begins seeing all of the handsome men she knew in high school and college who would have made excellent mates flash before her eyes.

How did you know we did this?!

What a fantastic trip you guys had! Maybe minus the last day incidents you had personally, but overall, a successful trip! Can't wait to hear your recap.

 

[KatMark]

I don't know what you are referencing.

If you are talking about me, I have so many of those moments. Please remind me which particular moment you are thinking of.

So so tempting.......

 

[that's nice]

So so tempting.......

She couldn't be possibly be talking about the whip picture......

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hey now...

I happen to be the proud owner of a UCSC Banana Slugs sweatshirt. Much to the great chagrin of my aunt, whose daughter was attending UC-Santa Barbara. But she wins the Cool Aunt award, because she bought it for me anyway. I always get a lot of questions when I wear it.

I would totally wear that! Just because it's such a goofy mascot.

My college mascot was the Pirate, which means we have really awesome clips from POTC that we play at football games, which I'm sure we totally have the rights to, and in no way violate copyright

But you get that cool music! That would pump the team up.

In true disclosure, I thought DDP was Disney Dining Plan at first. I think it's a sign I hang out on the DIS too much. I do have to say, as sad as I am to leave Disney, I don't like hanging around because personally it makes it worse for me. Better to be quick and rip the band-aid off, I guess. Or something like that.

That's understandable. We have too many acronyms around here. I'm not rushing back to work, though. Keep me at Disney!

Boo to vacations ending! And also for this TR for ending, because your updates bring me cheer. Especially when I have to deal with psycho clients. Who want me to plan a trip to Disney for them....on Christmas eve.....and are shocked to find out that it's going to be crowded.......................and also that the Christmas Parade isn't actually happening live.

It takes all kinds. Whenever I help people plan a Disney trip, I tell them just to expect massive crowds. Then they'll never be disappointed. And I remind them that they're visiting the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Well at least you slept in....

Sort of. We just kind of crashed.

Yup, even living as close as we do, we suffer from this as well.

It's an epidemic

OMG! These are sooooooo good! I wish that I could have some of these right now!

Me too! They'd beat the tar out of the ham sandwich I packed.

That did not occur to me, but you may have something there!

It was @afwdwfan and @Steppesister ! They're the ones planning coke deals in the back alley.

I hope that you can someday, it's absolutely magical!

Ok, twist my arm!

Great Photo!

You made it about halfway to our house, at least you didn't go too far out of the way!

We should have just kept going for a visit, if I'd known how far out of the way we were going!

Living here, we always thought the Cucamonga part was funnier.

Oh, absolutely! But the whole name just offers maximum comedy potential.

Sounds good, I just hope when I go there I don't agree with Julie on the saltiness factor.

I wanted to make sure I noted her reaction so you got both sides of the story. Then if you don't like it, you can't say I didn't warn you.

There are still a whole lot of other things on the menu there that sound yum!

I think it's a great place!

That's why we listen to books on CD when driving to Vegas. It's almost as boring as the drive up I5 to Northern California, at least there are Joshua trees.

I think I'll just fly into San Fran, and head to Yosemite from there. Will that work better? That's on my to-do list someday.

I usually drive about 1/4 to 1/3 of our road trips, just not the passes that go over 4000 or 7000 feet.

I like driving, and Julie likes taking naps in the passenger seat. It's a simple system, but effective for the most part.

I love embassy suites!

Us too! I'm always thrilled when they don't price themselves out of our market.

Yeah but you probably could have fed your entire family with one entrée!

They don't skimp, that's for sure. Julie and I split an entree, if I remember correctly.

DOH!

Can you believe this dope?

Looking forward to it!

We've been leaning heavily on @jedijill for advice!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I would totally wear that! Just because it's such a goofy mascot.

That's exactly why I wanted it. I don't even remember what UCSB's mascot was

But you get that cool music! That would pump the team up.

Actually to start the game all of the sousaphones march while playing Yo Ho, Yo Ho. And then at the end of the 3rd quarter we play the scene from the final battle with "Hoist the Colors" and the change the ECU flag to the No Quarter flag, and I'm a history nerd with an affinity for pirates so I think it's the coolest thing ever.

In full disclosure, I love everything we do at games and frequently tell people that at ECU it's more of a spectacle than a game, and the preshow alone is worth it.

That's understandable. We have too many acronyms around here. I'm not rushing back to work, though. Keep me at Disney!

Very true. When DBF and I went in December, I remember leaving Port Orleans and it was 83 degrees, and when we pulled in the driveway at home it was 38. Watching the thermometer in the car drop was painful the whole ride back. I tried to convince him to turn around and we'd tell everyone we got lost. Because, you know, I-95...it can be confusing

It takes all kinds. Whenever I help people plan a Disney trip, I tell them just to expect massive crowds. Then they'll never be disappointed. And I remind them that they're visiting the most popular tourist destination in the world.

If they're dead set on going, I generally try to prepare them a little more. Unfortunately there's a fine line I have to tread between giving them realistic expectations and not scaring them off.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Sounds like an amazing trip! Can't wait to hear your final thoughts and what adventure is in the works.

We got to see so many great sights! I know our plans may seem crazy, but it always ends up being worth the effort.

Oh. My. Goodness. Sure it wasn't one of your better moments.

No, definitely not when compared to that time I ate the 50/50 burger.

Well played.

Must...stay...at Disney.

Place looks great! Also great suggestion Cynthia!

@eandesmom hooked us up pretty well there!

It would of only been worse if my kids were there too.

Christopher looks like he could use a bag or two of sugar.

I know there is a joke in here but I won't write it... this is a family board and all.

Hey now!

Nicely Done!!! Great shot!

Thank you, sir.

I started laughing when I read this... then I continued to read that all of you were laughing at it as well.

Rancho Cucamonga! It doesn't get old. Just like dam jokes.

Wow... that's serious.

Smart move. You wouldn't want to drive off the road and damage your video camera.

Good point. I'd hate to see that happen.

Say it ain't so!

I wish I could.

Winning!

ummmmmm...... Losing?

Remember that old ABC Sports promo? The thrill of victory...and the agony of defeat.

You have me dying here

I was dying a thousand deaths myself.

I guess he wanted you 2 to suffer. Idiot.

Given my track record, I don't think I can call anyone else an idiot. But I can still Force-choke them.

You must be getting good at this by now.

I've had lots of practice!

Thanks for sharing your trip Mark. As always, great writing. Love your TRs.

Thanks Tim! I appreciate that, as well as you taking the time to read this crap!

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Somehow Randall knew about it.

I'm pretty fly for an old guy!

 

[Steppesister]

I don't know what you are referencing.

If you are talking about me, I have so many of those moments. Please remind me which particular moment you are thinking of.

Hmmm... well, the one where you left the tickets in the dresser drawer was the first on the list. Oh. My. GOSH!!! The angina that would cause would probably take off about 5 years of my life!!!!!!

Between you and Andy, I'm starting to get very worried here...

Just keepin' it real.

Stupid @#$% Joshua Trees.

To be completely honest I really love everything skinking thing about the Southwest. It is starkly beautiful in its own way, and I'd live there again given the chance. But when you're on the road, and have somewhere to go, yeah, a slow detour can be super annoying.

I am a moron. I deserved every bit of abuse my family gave me over that move.

Who am I to argue? But to be sensitive and not such a smart donkey, I do hope you can replace it soon with the job you love to go to every day. VV

There is some truth to sleeping in one's own bed. But honestly, I dread going back to work more than I do strange hotel beds. I'd rather keep traveling! Unfortunately, I have to go back to work to pay for the next vacation.

Yeah, that job.

And totally relate to traveling. I love it. A lot.

Anyway, it took over a year of life...but Drew is finally sleeping through the night.

PHew!! That's certainly something to celebrate!!

 

[Steppesister]

So so tempting.......

She couldn't be possibly be talking about the whip picture......

Of course, this one certainly qualifies as well as a close 2nd.

 

[Steppesister]

@afwdwfan

Hey, Andy, we need to talk... I think we can work out a deal.

 

[KatMark]

Of course, this one certainly qualifies as well as a close 2nd.

This one?

 

[Steppesister]

BUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YES! That one. (I feel so ridiculously immature when that pops up because I giggle ike a little girl every stinking time.)

 

[KatMark]

I'm going to be in so much trouble, but I'm literally as well

 

[that's nice]

Hmmm... well, the one where you left the tickets in the dresser drawer was the first on the list. Oh. My. GOSH!!! The angina that would cause would probably take off about 5 years of my life!!!!!!

Ah yes... that was not one of my better moments. Glad that turned out OK though.

Of course, this one certainly qualifies as well as a close 2nd.

I don't get how that is a doofus moment?

I guess actually posting the picture on the DIS was the doofus moment, since someone always like to bring it back up.

This one?

Annnnnnnnd there it is....

I don't think there is a TR that this picture doesn't make an appearance.

BUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YES! That one. (I feel so ridiculously immature when that pops up because I giggle ike a little girl every stinking time.)

Hey, you sent the whip. The least I could do was use it.

I'm going to be in so much trouble, but I'm literally as well

Glad you are getting a laugh out of this... Maybe I should go get the whip and take a 'Whip Picture 2015'

 

[KatMark]

Glad you are getting a laugh out of this... Maybe I should go get the whip and take a 'Whip Picture 2015'

Yes, yes, I think you should! Liesa and I could use a good laugh.