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

[pkondz]

Hmmm... I guess I always thought you were already a member, albeit an inactive member.

Here's the clubhouse

Got it. Thanks Andy.
Subbed. And I'll read it when I have a second.

 

[afwdwfan]

Got it. Thanks Andy.
Subbed. And I'll read it when I have a second.

Read it...



There's no point. Just jump in and introduce yourself. Everybody just pops in and rejoins the conversation when they can.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Where abouts is it? Or do I have to learn a secret link shake first?

Looks like Andy hooked you up. We have some pretty harsh standards for our membership, though.

Hmmm... I guess I always thought you were already a member, albeit an inactive member.

Here's the clubhouse

Not that being inactive really makes any difference in the club...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Got it. Thanks Andy.
Subbed. And I'll read it when I have a second.

Read it...



There's no point. Just jump in and introduce yourself. Everybody just pops in and rejoins the conversation when they can.

What he said!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Read it...



There's no point. Just jump in and introduce yourself. Everybody just pops in and rejoins the conversation when they can.

What he said!

I'll third that.

It's not so much something that one reads as it is an ongoing free-form existential communicative experience
(or more precisely described as: "Just so much BS").

 

[pkondz]

Looks like Andy hooked you up. We have some pretty harsh standards for our membership, though.

Uh, oh. I hope I'll be able to measure down.

It's not so much something that one reads as it is an ongoing free-form existential communicative experience
(or more precisely described as: "Just so much BS").

Probably get on their tonight.... sounds... interesting.

 

[Steppesister]

(or more precisely described as: "Just so much BS").

Sooooo, not a whole lot different than what goes on everywhere else?

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Sooooo, not a whole lot different than what goes on everywhere else?

Precisely
but with a good bit less sniping that one might encounter in a few of the other forums 'round these part

 

[afwdwfan]

Precisely
but with a good bit less sniping that one might encounter in a few of the other forums 'round these part

True.

Plenty of beer.

Plenty of bacon.

0 drama.

 

[pkondz]

but with a good bit less sniping that one might encounter in a few of the other forums 'round these part

No sniping? Like this?

If we're all Dad's we've all been there...

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

No sniping? Like this?

If we're all Dad's we've all been there...

I was going for the second listed definition of that particular word, but...
questionable humor is always welcome.

You'd fit in right well over there.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

It's not so much something that one reads as it is an ongoing free-form existential communicative experience
(or more precisely described as: "Just so much BS").

That pretty much sums it up.

Uh, oh. I hope I'll be able to measure down.

We have every confidence in you.

Probably get on their tonight.... sounds... interesting.

In all seriousness, I have made some excellent friends through this group.

Sooooo, not a whole lot different than what goes on everywhere else?

Pretty much sums it up, yeah. But I do feel that DIS Dad B.S. is of a higher quality than most other types of B.S.

Precisely
but with a good bit less sniping that one might encounter in a few of the other forums 'round these part

See?

True.

Plenty of beer.

Plenty of bacon.

0 drama.

And that too. Don't forget the fart jokes.

No sniping? Like this?

If we're all Dad's we've all been there...

I was going for the second listed definition of that particular word, but...
questionable humor is always welcome.

You'd fit in right well over there.

Absolutely!

 

[Steppesister]

In all seriousness, I have made some excellent friends through this group.

Amen, and amen again bruthuh! Seriously, there have been some here that are my first go-to phone call or PM when crap hits the fan, or I have good news to share... Sometimes you need to go to a friend before you even tell family for one reason or another, and there are a few friends I've made here that have been with me for a long time through some really tough things. I love that.

Pretty much sums it up, yeah. But I do feel that DIS Dad B.S. is of a higher quality than most other types of B.S.

I should come over and lurk just for kicks and giggles. Just to see how thick things can get, ya know.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Amen, and amen again bruthuh! Seriously, there have been some here that are my first go-to phone call or PM when crap hits the fan, or I have good news to share... Sometimes you need to go to a friend before you even tell family for one reason or another, and there are a few friends I've made here that have been with me for a long time through some really tough things. I love that.

Me too! I love having some friends throughout the country (and even the world). It's really fun to plan meet-ups as we travel, and I've always been amazed at how much other people are willing to do for someone they've never physically met before.

I should come over and lurk just for kicks and giggles. Just to see how thick things can get, ya know.

Be careful what you ask for!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So Scotty recently celebrated his 9th birthday. Every year, my parents have been giving my kids a day trip as a birthday present, rather than cluttering our house with more toys that make the same incessant noises over and over and constantly need batteries. And we appreciate that, believe me. As a result, my parents have taken them to Philadelphia, D.C., Broadway shows in New York, etc. They love having a special day like that.

A few years ago, they decided to take my other son, David, on a "big" trip. I went along as...um...security. Hey, I wasn't complaining. Anyway, we took David on a long weekend to Florida. We flew down to Orlando on a Thursday, explored the fort and old historic town of St. Augustine, went to the Players Championship (a fairly major golf tournament) near Jacksonville for the 2nd round all day Friday (David got an autograph from Phil Mickelson and a signed glove from Matt Kuchar, among others), and explored the Kennedy Space Center on Saturday before returning to Orlando and spending the evening at Downtown Disney. Naturally, I was forbidden by Julie to even think of entering a Disney Park or proceeding any further onto Disney Property than Downtown Disney, and even then my primary purpose there was only to buy gifts for those forced to stay home back in Delaware. This was seen as just and right by all of Julie's friends. Then we flew home on Sunday.

A couple of years later, Sarah got her "big" trip: she went with Julie (as security) and my parents to southern California to see the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. She also got to explore the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Legoland California, the La Brea Tar Pits, and wound up the evening at Downtown Disney. I told them they were not allowed to enter Disneyland or California Adventure without the rest of us present. This was seen as horribly unfair and cruel by all of Julie's friends, because the only consistent part of these disputes between husbands and wives are the double standards involved.

Anyway, this year it's time for Scotty's "big" trip. We're basically repeating David's trip, with a slight difference. All of the kids have now explored St. Augustine, so instead we're flying in Thursday and then heading up to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

(all images borrowed from nether regions of the interwebs)

I know, for most of you that sounds like one step removed from watching petrified wood form, but hey, we like our golf. Admission includes a mini-golf course and a chance to take a shot at an island green, so I'm sure Scotty and I will have fun with it.

Friday we will be at the Players Championship, watching the best of the best perform. Again, this will not appeal to you in the least if you hate golf. But in pro sports, golf is actually one of the better spectator deals out there. For somewhere in the neighborhood of $50, you can see over 12 hours of competition. And you don't have to sit in the same place the whole time.

By far the most fun hole to watch is the 17th, a par 3 to an island green. If the wind is blowing at all, this could end up being a disaster and dramatically change a golfer's round. The worst score on this hole in pro competition was recorded by Bob Tway in 2005, who put 4 balls in the water and then finally made the green only to 3-putt his way to a 12.

A couple of decades ago, a magazine held a competition here to determine America's Worst Avid Golfer. The "winner" hit many, many shots into the water before giving up and putting his way around the lake and over the bridge. He recorded a score of 66 for this one hole.

David had a blast here when he visited and also got a lot of autographs, and I think it will be similar for Scotty. As a bonus, we may be able to pull off a DIS Dad meet. DisneyFed, a DIS Dad and law enforcement officer in the area, is helping to work security for the tournament.

On Saturday, we'll head to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. David and I got to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour here on the launchpad just a few days before the 2nd-to-last space shuttle flight ever in May 2011. They have a great tour of the facilities, exhibits on the Saturn V rocket and moon landing, and a new exhibit that is the permanent home for the Space Shuttle Atlantis, so I'm looking forward to seeing that with Scotty.

Saturday evening we'll head to Orlando and spend the evening at Downtown Disney. We usually hit Earl of Sandwich for dinner and then I browse the shops looking for gifts for everyone back home so they'll let me inside when I return. I have been forbidden from proceeding any further into Disney property and under no circumstances am I to enter a Disney park without the rest of the family present. Julie and her friends view this condition as completely just and fair.

We leave next Thursday (May 7), and after the crappy news at work this past month, I could really use the break!

 

[Leshaface]

So Scotty recently celebrated his 9th birthday. Every year, my parents have been giving my kids a day trip as a birthday present, rather than cluttering our house with more toys that make the same incessant noises over and over and constantly need batteries. And we appreciate that, believe me. As a result, my parents have taken them to Philadelphia, D.C., Broadway shows in New York, etc. They love having a special day like that.

SUPER cool! Seriously the best idea. I only have one kid and hate the massive amount of toys he has. Books, I don't mind. Unfortunately, my mom won't travel beyond 40 minutes without someone with her and DH's parents don't go anywhere either. So we'll be giving him his travel 'gifts'.

Naturally, I was forbidden by Julie to even think of entering a Disney Park or proceeding any further onto Disney Property than Downtown Disney, and even then my primary purpose there was only to buy gifts for those forced to stay home back in Delaware. This was seen as just and right by all of Julie's friends.

I mean, it's only fair right?

I told them they were not allowed to enter Disneyland or California Adventure without the rest of us present. This was seen as horribly unfair and cruel by all of Julie's friends

That's SO UNFAIR! Let the woman visit DLR next time, sheesh.

He recorded a score of 66 for this one hole.

Well, he could have gotten a 70, which would have just been beyond awful!


Hope you guys have a great trip next week! But do NOT step foot on WDW property aside from DTD. Major hate will not only come from your wife, but from DIS friends as well. Wait, shouldn't I be encouraging you to visit the Mouse? Guess i'm not being a good DIS friend.

 

[Flossbolna]

Oh, I remember the trip report you did on the trip with David! Are you going to write about Scotty's adventures as well? I remember that you made golf sound really exciting!

 

[WDW2012]

Too bad this were not a few months from now, you could have had another Dis meet! We just bought a house and will be moving down to St. Augustine after the kids get out of school. Can't wait to not have to deal with another NY winter I'm pretty sure we took a golf tour when we were down a few years ago for a cousin's wedding. I think I remember watching people attempt that 17th hole. Then again, I'm not the one to ask about anything golf related. Watching golf=naptime for me ;-)

Have a great trip. When it is Drew's turn for his St. Augustine trip, let me know

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

SUPER cool! Seriously the best idea. I only have one kid and hate the massive amount of toys he has. Books, I don't mind. Unfortunately, my mom won't travel beyond 40 minutes without someone with her and DH's parents don't go anywhere either. So we'll be giving him his travel 'gifts'.

Experiences >> Material things. That's the working theory, anyway. It's amazing how many toys you collect that they play with twice and then abandon forever.

I mean, it's only fair right?

That's SO UNFAIR! Let the woman visit DLR next time, sheesh.

Well, I think we can all figure out where I am situated on the totem pole. In the traditional "Dad" spot at the bottom, of course. Which is beneath the family pet.

Well, he could have gotten a 70, which would have just been beyond awful!

A 66 is a fantastic score! For 18 holes, anyway.

Hope you guys have a great trip next week! But do NOT step foot on WDW property aside from DTD. Major hate will not only come from your wife, but from DIS friends as well. Wait, shouldn't I be encouraging you to visit the Mouse? Guess i'm not being a good DIS friend.

Seriously! You should be on my side here!

Oh, I remember the trip report you did on the trip with David! Are you going to write about Scotty's adventures as well? I remember that you made golf sound really exciting!

Did I do one for David? I can't remember that. I did do one for my visit to The Masters tournament in 2010. Anyway, I'll see if I can work something up. I may not have much free time to do it--when we get back, we'll only have a month or so before we leave for Yellowstone!

Too bad this were not a few months from now, you could have had another Dis meet! We just bought a house and will be moving down to St. Augustine after the kids get out of school. Can't wait to not have to deal with another NY winter I'm pretty sure we took a golf tour when we were down a few years ago for a cousin's wedding. I think I remember watching people attempt that 17th hole. Then again, I'm not the one to ask about anything golf related. Watching golf=naptime for me ;-)

Have a great trip. When it is Drew's turn for his St. Augustine trip, let me know

You mean there are people out there who think golf is boring?! I had no idea!

Sorry we'll miss you! I can't blame you for abandoning NY winters.

It'll be a few years for Drew, but I hope we get the chance to do it again!

 

[dgbg100106]

Scotty's birthday weekend sounds great and I am sure he will have a blast.