The Empty Nesters Magical Mystery Tour *1/28* Link to New Girl's TR p141

[Wood Nymph]

Those were some great pictures of the lions. The pain you were experiencing didn't seem to hurt your photography skills.

Our son's car was hit by a 16 year old boy who was changing the radio station on his parent's SUV. The car was parked in the street in front of the house. He had borrowed my car while waiting for the insurance money and he got hit by a driver who turned left in front of him. Both cars were totaled and so we each had to by new cars. I was happy to replace my old car, since I've always wanted the fancy things like a sun roof and heated seats. I just wish it didn't come with car payments.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Oh - and the training for the 1/2 marathon is moving along. My longest run so far is 11.3 miles. I am going to try to do 12 miles next weekend. All I can say is - a half marathon is REALLY FAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw you running on Saturday! I was driving north on US 13 on the way to the mall and saw you near the ChesDel restaurant. Didn't have a chance to try and get your attention.

This ride never looks very long anymore. Remember back in the day when you had to wait 45 minutes to spin around in one of these silly cars? Now I can’t even remember the last time I rode this.

I can't remember the last time I wanted to ride it.

Ok then - time to ride and, of course, we waited one extra car for the front row. Heck, we may have even walked right on the front row. It was 10 months ago. Hard for me to remember the exact details.

Love the EE pictures! You really got a lot of shots up top.

For some reason I got completely cut out of the redneck ride photo. I was in it, but my camera messed up here for sure!

Weird. But extra points to Denny for the Phillies shirt! Especially given how last season went.

Can you guess what happened next?

Yup - the gate closed and wacked me right in the chest. Hard. I’m surprised no one noticed. It hurt.

D'oh! Not cool.

I love this cheetahs and I think the cheetah on the left and licking the one on the right.

Cool picture!

I remember thinking to myself, “OK the lions are next and right now I just want to get off this ride. I bet they are out on the one day I don’t feel like taking anymore pictures”.

And sure enough!

AWWWWWW - Doesn’t he look like you could just give him a big hug!

Umm...If I want to get eaten, maybe.

By the way, those chemical formulas on the pipes in Dinosaur? The formula for ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

 

[Pinkocto]

So many gorgeous gorgeous photos!!! I especially like the antelope one at the end and then monkey silhouettes.

I'm sorry about the thing hitting your chest I would have been thinking about internal injury too curse of the trade.

Of course those lions were up and about when you just wanted the ride to end!

I hope I'm not jumping ahead of your story but we learned they just had two more gorilla babies. I wondered if they were born when you were there.

Happy Holidays!!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Your last evening in Tarpon Springs looks fun, but be honest. Would you have gone with the random lady to Mama's had you not already had a happy hour and a wine tasting?

Love your picture on Dinosaur. You really should have sat on the other end of the row though so that you'd have been front and center trying to give Carnotaurus a hug!

I've got to give you credit for your photography skills. Those pictures you took from Everest are pretty good considering how quickly you'd have had to aim and shoot!

I hope your chest injury wasn't anything lingering, but maybe that will teach you to ignore the Disney safety warnings.

 

[Steppesister]

I love all of your pictures from AK!!

It's definitely my favorite park to photograph as well. They really went over-the-top on the detailing and everywhere you turn there's something interesting to take a nice picture of!!

I like your flamingo one too.

UGH! I hope you end up being ok! YIKES!

 

[scottny]

Congrats on booking a cruise.

The length of the tour was great for you all.

loved the manatee pics. They are such beautiful creatures.

Please don’t post our winter home on here. LOL. That house is impressive.

You need to get a gopro so you can video the bridges while driving and then you can see them anytime.

I will skip that “view “but will take that house on the water. LOL.

I just looked at the Harbour Isle website and wow are they nice. Not too bad $400’s and up.

That town just screams Florida living to me.

The bridge is pretty lit up.

The tree bark looks like a piranha. LOL

Nice pics of the eagles.

I have to get a wide/fish lens for my camera. I do like the pics while you were driving around.

Yeah! Back at Disney.

Nice pic on Dinosaur.

That stinks about the hit and run.

Last time I rode PW was January 2008 when I brought the kids down.

Love the animal pics on the safari but so sorry you got hurt getting on.

I am all caught up again.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Great Animal Kingdom updates! So what were your injuries finally?

Loved the pictures of the Lions and cheetahs.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year..

 

[MEK]

WOW Mary Ellen. I bet being part of the Compassionate Friends ceremony, while certainly emotional, would also be so rewarding. A blessing indeed.
.

I really enjoy doing that ceremony. That give me very guitar unfriendly songs by singers with huge voices and I have the challenge of "making them my own" and presenting them in a folk guitar manor. It's interesting to see how the songs turn out unplugged. The first year I did CF it was all I could do not to cry through the whole serivce, but over the years I have developed a thick skin and don't reflect on the emotional aspects of it until I leave for the evening.

GASADON!!!!!! And according to her reports, completely appropriate.

I think so too!

YAY NO DANCING!!! BUT, It's Everest. How do you not dance?

I know, right? I love that ride. Truly a must do!

My goodness you got some awesome shots on there Mary Ellen. Like truly AWESOME!

Thanks. I am looking at them on a much bigger computer screen than normal right now and, if I do say so myself, they look pretty cool. Glad I decided to take them because I don't think I took any on the ride in October.

I know I was just recently declaring my waning Safari enthusiasm, but GIRAFFES!! And Baby GIRAFFE!!! Hard not to love that.

That was so sweet. There is something so precious about a baby animal. Even the ugliest animals have the cutest babies!

OK. That is one of the best cheetah shots I've seen. Wow.

Thanks! I can't believe I managed to time the shot as they were licking each other. Totally random and it worked!

Oh my, I sure do hope the injury isn't serious. CLIFFHANGER.

And I'll keep it just like that - as a cliff hanger!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Great pictures around AK! I just love that park, and you hit all the biggies knocking out Dinosaur, Everest and then the Safari!

How scary getting hit by the gate. I'm really surprised you weren't warned before it closed. They are always telling people to get back behind the yellow line. Somebody was asleep at the wheel it sounds like!

At least you were able to get some really great shots while you were on the safari, and especially those pictures of the grass!!!

 

[MEK]

MEK, the DIS has been very slow...everyone is busy during the holidays so no worries there (I personally thank you because I am so far behind ).

I've noticed the DIS has been slow in general and the holidays make it that much slower.

I'm with you. AK is my favorite park for photos...so much detail and just beautiful scenery.

I couldn't agree more. I just love all the photo-ops. They are endless.

Yay...you got Coronado in your photos from EE.

I know, right? I think its cool how you can really see the spatial relationships of the different resorts from that vantage point.

LOVE the giraffe pictures...especially mom and baby.

How sweet is that picture? Love it!

And the elephant pictures...warmed my heart.

Me too! They are such super intelligent animals. So cool to see three of them so close together.

You did awesome with getting the lions up and walking about. I was happy I got to see them in September; now I want to see them up and walking about.

I just totally lucked out. That will NEVER happen again.

If I don't get back here, Merry Christmas to you, Denny and the family.

​

Thanks! I hope you and your familty had a wonderful day!

 

[MEK]

I have always loved the interesting perspectives you seem to find when you are photographing around the parks, but none more so than AK. These updates definitely didn't disappoint in that aspect! Those silhouettes of the monkeys are really, really well done.

Thanks so much for the compliment. I just love taking pictures in AK. It's so spontaneous. All the other parks seem to require more focus but AK is definitely more point and shot. Just pick a random area and start taking pictures and it always works!

IOh gosh, that's terrible about hitting your chest so hard! Of all the places to do that, right before boarding the bumpy safari too. Not the best ride for an injury like that. But not surprisingly, you still managed to get some amazing photos, especially of all of the big cats. I have only once seen the cheetahs that clearly! And the lions...really just fantastic pics of them. The grass makes it look like you were crouching down in it for some photos.

I can't believe I was careless enough to get hit with the gate. So dumb. Really! But I'm happy that the animals all ended up being so photogenic when it came time to take their pictures. I can't believe the cheetah was grooming his mate. I really couldn't see that when I was taking the picture.

II hope your chest started feeling better once you stopped for lunch.

IHope you & yours have a very Merry Christmas!

Thanks! Same to you! I loved your story about Paxton and candy land. That totally cracked me up!

I understand the busy time of year...we just got out Christmas break, and since DW and I both work in the school system we get two weeks to recover and get less busy! Also, sound like your half marathon training is going well!

Yay for a two week vacation! That must feel like heaven. I can't believe how fast Christmas break comes. It seems like the school year just started.

Love your Everest pics and your Safari pics are as good as ever...even after your injury. Sorry you had to get hurt, but hopefully you got to feeling better!

Thanks for the compliment. Doesn't it just figure that I would have plenty of photo-ops when all I really wanted to do was get off the safari 3 minutes into it. Looking back I am really glad that the animals were out in full force.

Hope you and your family have a great holiday!

Thanks. We are having a lovely time. I wish the same for your family! :good vibes

 

[MEK]

Brian has the car for one week and it's hit while it's parked?! Dear lord, that's bringing back memories of me having my car for three weeks and my Dad dropping his motorcycle on it.

Yeah - figures, right? At least it was a fairly easy fix, but still...... I told him he has to keep it parked in his driveway FOREVER and never in front of his GF's house again.

You're dad dropped his motorcycle on your car????? WHAT? Oh wow!

11.3 miles, I was so happy for you when I saw that on FB! This week was a taper week according to my plan, so next weekend I'm up to 9.5. EEEEPPP!!!

I am supposed to be doing 12 today but I have a cold and I really don't think I have it in me. I still haven't figured out my back up plan for this week. I was thinking maybe two shorter runs to equal 12.

GASODON! OMG, I have to find that and take a picture of him next to it.

Then you have to photoshop Popadon into the sign! Actually - he needs it on a T-shrt!

I really like the monkey silhouette pictures.

Thanks!

Okay for real, it's never too early for a refreshing cocktail.

Under most circumstances you are completely correct!

Oh no, that stinks that the gate closed and hit you in the chest! They are really powerful.

OMG! I was totally shocked by that. It really scared me. I have a new found respect for that yellow line. I'm not kidding!

Awww, cheetahs loving other cheetahs!

How cool is that? I didn't even realize it until I actually uploaded the picture to photo bucket. Such a cat thing.

Of course the Lion is acting like a typical cat though. Nope, not gonna look at you. Nope, nope, nope.

That's exactly how my cats act when I try to take their picture. They just don't want to have anything to do with it. It's like they KNOW!

Oh my, I am impressed and sort of scared, you actually followed someone to a restaurant. I can't say we would have done that. Then again, Jeff would never be quite that approachable in that scenario.

I think I made it sound worse than it actually was. I knew she was just out there trying to drum up business on a Monday night. Can't say I blame her. I know when we went into town on Friday night there were also people approaching us with "deals".

I love that you take doggie picture pit stop signs!!!!!!!!

I think I found some new ones in October. I think I have a pic of one in HS.

I am SO impressed with your training, you are leaps and bounds ahead of me.

Ugh - believe me - I totally don't feel that way today. It is supposed to be a long run day and I have a cold. I am up early DISing and trying to rethink my plan. Maybe two shorter runs.

I can only imagine how weird it is to have both home, with all their stuff imploding. Blessing and a frustration all at the same time. YAY for the GF coming on the trip, I know you were bumming that she might not but BOO for neighborhoods where the car can get hit.

Yes - totally a frustration, but great to see them both. There has to be some major corralling of the imploding stuff because my mom and brother's family are coming to visit tomorrow. They have not been here in FOREVER and I want everything to look nice.

Very excited that C is coming with us. She is a lovely girl and she works hard for her tuition. She has all kinds of loans. She struggles, but will appreciate it when its all done.

Although you never know. Jeff had to park my car down the street Monday night while I hosted a holiday party for my gourmet club and my poor favorite neighbor backed right into it! She felt so bad and I feel bad that she feels bad!

OMG! That's terrible. I feel really sorry for your friend, too! That's always how stupid accidents happen. It's whenever you move your car out of its usual spot. I hope its not a huge inconvenience to get it fixed. Just another thing to do over the holidays.

OW OW OW on the gate hitting you. I hope you are ok. FABULOUS lion pictures though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that they were worth getting hit for but fabulous nonetheless.

It really shocked me. I'm not kidding. And I felt so stupid for letting it happen. So, yeah, I guess that's what it takes for me to get good pictures of the lions. I have to undergo bodily assault and that assures that they lions will be out and about.

I am the worst DISer lately but hope over break to make a dent in catching up.

I hear ya. I am struggling to hang on. But I do have my first couple of days of May pictures ready, so I could start that TR. What do you think? Should I just get the first update going? Maybe by next weekend?

 

[MEK]

I have been. I knew this would be hard, but this is a lot more than I ever imagined. If I'm not in a study group drinking wine and eating stinky cheese while learning about therapeutic communication or some disease process, I'm in the library up to my neck in photocopies of lecture outlines, or in the lab learning how to cath someone.

It's always interesting for me to have a new student's perspective because it seems like ions ago that I was going through all that. I have another friend who is in her second year of nursing school and she really puts a lot into it as well. I guess it requires that to totally change the way you are thinking.

I intend to. While not catching up on threads, I'm preparing my own PTR to llaunch!

YAYAYAYAYAY! I just subbed and I am really looking forward to reading it!

Thanks! From what I hear, most who get an A first term, get a B second, and a C third. As long as I pass with a 75%, it's all good.

OH - I am sure there are people who hold their A the entire way through. One thing that will happen is you will get better at learning how to study and at recognizing how to select the correct answer. Like I said, its just another way of thinking.

No. It certainly isn't. But if I go down, I'm gonna do with having done my very best and given it my all.

I have no doubt!

It's a good mix of those who went down in flames. Some older, but most young like you say. And you're right. My age of student comes with a time management and self-confidence skill the younger ones don't tend to have. I'm almost half tempted to start my PTR now (20 months ahead) just to have some DIS-er support in the midst.

I'm glad you did. Having support is important. Just keep yourself self confident. You got this!

Thanks for the life update.

Nice to have the boys home. I think.

It really is nice to have them home, despite the ever growing pile of their STUFF!!!!!

Congrats on the new car. Sorry that the car you sold to your son was hit in the first week he had it. People can be jerks.

Can you believe it? I told him he better park that car in HIS driveway forever and WALK to the GF's house which is 2 blocks away. Seriously????

I can only imagine how memorable and moving the Compassionate Friends meeting was.

The first time I did this service I really had a hard time keeping it together. Now I can detach myself a bit more. It's a beautiful organization. I hope no one ever needs them, but they are amazing and I feel that when I am there. I am honored to be part of their ceremony.

"Don't Cry For Me, Carnotaurus"

(There actually is a dinosaur called the Argentinisaurus, but that is not our dino and my dino-expert Ben would not forgive me if I mislabeled it)

I love that title. I really should have used it. Maybe I should go back and change it now.

Way to go Ben for knowing all that dino stuff. I can't even pronounce that word, let alone spell it.

That is a really pretty picture.

Thank you! I really love that picture!

I was going to quote out the pictures I loved from EE and from the Safari but there are way, way too many!

Thank you! I was really pleased with how good some of those pics turned out!

Wow! That is a fantastic closeup of the Swalphin from the tip of Everest. I love the waterfall pictures and all the ones with stairs, too.

I think its so cool to see the spatial relationships of so many of the Disney icons. Its weird how close CSR and the Swalphin is. It's pretty cool!

I'm sorry you had to suffer for your art, I hope you are ok after being hit by the gate. They should warn you about that, or something!

Ummm - yeah - don't they usually???? That's why I can't believe that happened. First of all, I feel so dumb for getting hit and, secondly, I can't believe no one yelled at me first. What?????

The giraffe and her baby!

The elephants- great shots of the three together and the two facing each other.

Thanks. I love those pictures as well. The giraffe and her baby are so cute.

The cheetahs!!! Normally you can't even see them and you got a spectacular picture of them exhibiting kitty cat behavior.

When I uploaded that picture I was so surprised to see that. They are totally showing their feline side. So neat!

And the lions!!! Wow!!! You got a lot of beautiful pictures. They are such majestic animals. I don't know how you got off so many great shots!

I totally lucked out that day. I have been on the Safari too many times to count and I never see the lions like that. I guess those pictures are going to have to last me for the next 20 safaris. I'll keep using them over and over again.

 

[Poolrat]

All caught up.

Sounds like 2 hit and runs, One with now Brian's car and the gate on your chest. OW.

I hate that you felt so bad you just wanted off. No Bueno.

Amazing pictures as usual. The sights atop Everest are great. I am hoping for a sunset picture from up there in Feb.

Of course the Lions were out, just the distraction you needed to take your mind off the pain.

I think DHS is the only place I have not seen a doggie spot. Or many at least.

 

[eandesmom]

Ugh - believe me - I totally don't feel that way today. It is supposed to be a long run day and I have a cold. I am up early DISing and trying to rethink my plan. Maybe two shorter runs.

They say as long as it is in the same day, it counts. My miles start ramping up tomorrow, it will be interesting. I sat out yesterday (supposed to be a 4 mile tempo) as the ankle bugged me during my speedwork on weds (4x800)...fingers crossed the slow easy 8 tomorrow goes relatively well. I am kind of figuring that since I did the 12K last sunday, which is basically a tempo run on a day that should have been slow easy...if I have to give one up for the week the tempo one was the one to go. Who knows though.

It's a bit sad when Jeff is making quips about "the couple that rolls together, strolls together"

As in foam rolling.

Yes - totally a frustration, but great to see them both. There has to be some major corralling of the imploding stuff because my mom and brother's family are coming to visit tomorrow. They have not been here in FOREVER and I want everything to look nice.

Good luck with that!

Very excited that C is coming with us. She is a lovely girl and she works hard for her tuition. She has all kinds of loans. She struggles, but will appreciate it when its all done.

It's so fabulous you like her so much!

OMG! That's terrible. I feel really sorry for your friend, too! That's always how stupid accidents happen. It's whenever you move your car out of its usual spot. I hope its not a huge inconvenience to get it fixed. Just another thing to do over the holidays.

They can't even get me in until the 5th and it will be almost a whole week out. But it will include a rental car so really not a hassle at all. It was so funny, we both ended up at the shop at the same time. Adjuster was all stressed and we were busy hugging, discussing getting together for a glass of wine and she offered Evan another babysitting gig (he's their main sitter). LOL!

It really shocked me. I'm not kidding. And I felt so stupid for letting it happen. So, yeah, I guess that's what it takes for me to get good pictures of the lions. I have to undergo bodily assault and that assures that they lions will be out and about.

It could happen to anyone!!!!!!!! That's the kind of thing I would do.

I hear ya. I am struggling to hang on. But I do have my first couple of days of May pictures ready, so I could start that TR. What do you think? Should I just get the first update going? Maybe by next weekend?

That would work for me. I think I have photo's uploaded but would definitely have time to do so this week, life gets a bit slow for the next month or so...YAY for that!

 

[MEK]

Those were some great pictures of the lions. The pain you were experiencing didn't seem to hurt your photography skills.

I totally used the lions as a distraction, but my chest was aching and I still felt so totally stupid!

TOur son's car was hit by a 16 year old boy who was changing the radio station on his parent's SUV. The car was parked in the street in front of the house. He had borrowed my car while waiting for the insurance money and he got hit by a driver who turned left in front of him. Both cars were totaled and so we each had to by new cars. I was happy to replace my old car, since I've always wanted the fancy things like a sun roof and heated seats. I just wish it didn't come with car payments.

Oh No! Talk about a chain reaction of events. That's terrible. I think once you have any kind of accident you always worry that another is not the far behind. Your poor son. I feel bad for hime Yay for a new car, but always a big boo for the car payments!

I saw you running on Saturday! I was driving north on US 13 on the way to the mall and saw you near the ChesDel restaurant. Didn't have a chance to try and get your attention.

Yup - that was me! It's an exact 7 mile loop from my house. The run was going really well until I hit the ChesDel, but running down Rt 13 was NOT that fun. I thought the traffic would be a little less. I had close to two miles on Rt 13 and I could not WAIT to get down. Last time I plan to do THAT loop! You should have waved.

I can't remember the last time I wanted to ride it.

Ditto! When the kids were younger we used to ride it as a time filler. You know - because teenagers and pre teens love rides like that. But now there is no reason to.

Love the EE pictures! You really got a lot of shots up top.

Thanks. I am happy with the way the pics turned out.

Weird. But extra points to Denny for the Phillies shirt! Especially given how last season went.

Oh Denny - he doesn't care. He just finds shirts likes and wears them, no matter what they say!

D'oh! Not cool.

It was totally a D'oh moment. I felt so stupid and embarrassed at the same time. And then I realized it actually HURT!

Cool picture!

Thanks. I love that picture. I had no idea what they were doing until I uploaded it.

Murphy's Law in full force!

Umm...If I want to get eaten, maybe.

By the way, those chemical formulas on the pipes in Dinosaur? The formula for ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

Really? That does sound vaguely familiar, like I may have heard that once before and forgotten it. Cool!

So many gorgeous gorgeous photos!!! I especially like the antelope one at the end and then monkey silhouettes.

Thanks! I am really happy with how my pics turned out. I think when my time in Disney is limited I work a little bit harder on the photo-ops!

I'm sorry about the thing hitting your chest I would have been thinking about internal injury too curse of the trade.

Exactly! That was all I could think about. That was concerning me the most. Plus I felt so stupid.

Of course those lions were up and about when you just wanted the ride to end!

Like I said, Murphy's Law in full force!

I hope I'm not jumping ahead of your story but we learned they just had two more gorilla babies. I wondered if they were born when you were there.

On one of my trips I remember asking about the gorilla babies but the CM would not give me any information. It was like it was classified on something. Sort of annoying since I learned about Lily from a CM who happily volunteered the info.

Happy Holidays!!!

Same to you Pam! I hope you had a great Christmas. I really miss your TRs and I hope there is one in the works!

 

[MEK]

Your last evening in Tarpon Springs looks fun, but be honest. Would you have gone with the random lady to Mama's had you not already had a happy hour and a wine tasting?

You are actually the only one who asked me that???? Good question! I probably would have been a little more reluctant, taken the flyer, and told her we would think about it.

Love your picture on Dinosaur. You really should have sat on the other end of the row though so that you'd have been front and center trying to give Carnotaurus a hug!

I know, right? I wish you could pick your own seat on Safari, but we all know that doesn't happen. I think we were in one of those situations where they called into the line for a party of two and we were happy to get loaded extra quick!

I've got to give you credit for your photography skills. Those pictures you took from Everest are pretty good considering how quickly you'd have had to aim and shoot!

Thanks! I have lots of experience taking EE pictures. Maybe my skill is getting better because I take pics every time I ask for the front row. I finally rode without taking pics in October and I'm quite proud!

I hope your chest injury wasn't anything lingering, but maybe that will teach you to ignore the Disney safety warnings.

Unfortunately, I never heard the Disney warning. Usually I am alert to that, but I clearly missed it and apparently so did the CM queueing the line!

I love all of your pictures from AK!!

Thank you! I am happy with how my pics turned out.

It's definitely my favorite park to photograph as well. They really went over-the-top on the detailing and everywhere you turn there's something interesting to take a nice picture of!!

Exactly! It really is a photographer's dream. It never disappoints. I probably could spend an entire day there and not have every possible photograph. It's endless.

I like your flamingo one too.

I especially love that pic. Everything came together on that - color, detail, depth of field. It really catches my eye.

UGH! I hope you end up being ok! YIKES!

Stay tuned

 

[jenseib]

Fabulous shots of AK. Now I want to go back and just take more pictures! I feel the need to take more pictures....even though I am still editing pictures from 2 trips yet.
I hope your chest stops hurting. I can see how that would be so annoying and something that would happen to me as well.

 

[Pinkocto]

On one of my trips I remember asking about the gorilla babies but the CM would not give me any information. It was like it was classified on something. Sort of annoying since I learned about Lily from a CM who happily volunteered the info.

That's so silly, why would it be secret? You'd think they'd want to spread around the news so people would come to see them. It was too cold when we were there, they weren't out. I would have loved to see them though.

Same to you Pam! I hope you had a great Christmas. I really miss your TRs and I hope there is one in the works!

Thank you so much I'm just taking a break from TRs. Life has been really stressful with work, and I lost my grandpa last week. I just haven't had the time to be on here except to read. I will definitely let you know when I start another one. I'm sure that will be sometime next year, I have several fun adventures planned

 

[MEK]

Congrats on booking a cruise.

Thanks! We enjoyed our Dream cruise so much that we decided to book another. I really liked the length of the 4 night cruise. It worked out well for us so we decided to try it again.

The length of the tour was great for you all.

The manatee tour was amazing and the length was perfect. Loved it!

loved the manatee pics. They are such beautiful creatures.

I really wish I had a water resistant camera so I could have taken better pics! My pictures don't even begin to do them justice. The amazing thing was how many there were and how close to use they were. It was really highlight!

Please don’t post our winter home on here. LOL. That house is impressive.

You need to get a gopro so you can video the bridges while driving and then you can see them anytime.

That's a great idea. I would like to try a go-pro. They produce good results. That would be perfect for a bridge.

I will skip that “view “but will take that house on the water. LOL.

ME too!!!!

I just looked at the Harbour Isle website and wow are they nice. Not too bad $400’s and up.

I wish that was in my budget. I wish any house in Florida was in my budget right now!!!!!

That town just screams Florida living to me.

Doesn't it? Anna Maria Island was so cool. Loved it there!

The bridge is pretty lit up.

The colors were lovely. There is a bridge like that near my home (well, not as long, but a suspension bridge) and it is just plain white at night.

The tree bark looks like a piranha. LOL

Nice pics of the eagles.

Seeing the eagles was fascinating. Definitely a trip highlight. Loved seeing them.

I have to get a wide/fish lens for my camera. I do like the pics while you were driving around.

Thanks! It's fun to play with and I'm glad I got it, but I really only use it for special occasions. It's a little annoying to get off and on.

Yeah! Back at Disney.

Nice pic on Dinosaur.

Thanks! I love that pic!

That stinks about the hit and run.

Ugh - he is not in a good neighborhood and the only witness was someone who is allegedly a drug dealer. Nice, huh?

Last time I rode PW was January 2008 when I brought the kids down.

Exactly. It is perfect when you are visiting the parks with kids, but not so attractive when its just adults. There are so many other things I rather do at the AK.

Love the animal pics on the safari but so sorry you got hurt getting on.

Thanks. Doesn't it just figure that the animals and the lions would be out in full force???

I am all caught up again.

Yay! You always do such a great job when you get caught up.