mamacatnv
That be a Mum Y'all - a Texas Mum
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2005
- Messages
- 10,888
Meet the Family:
DH 49, ME 40, DS 17 & DD 8
We departed Reno, NV Christmas morning on a 7:20 a.m. flight. Made it to Atlanta and onto our connection without incident. Due to fog, we sat on the runway for an hour before taking off for Orlando. Arrived in Orlando at 6:30 p.m. where it was warm, rainy and sticky. Picked up the luggage and hoped onto the shuttle to get the rental car at Thrifty, in and out of Thrifty with the mini van and hit the road for the in-laws. Arrived in Bradenton, Fl. By 9:15 Christmas night.
Spent the next 7 days with the In-Laws. We visited the: Mote Aquarium, the South Florida Museum and Planitarium, Busch Gardens, the Jungle Gardens, Myaaka State Park, Anna Maria Island, the Apollo Power Station and Sarasota Bay.
The weather was great, warm and sunny in the high 70s - low 80's with high humidity (at least for us high desert dwellers).
We took a Sea excursion into Sarasota Bay where we learned about the area wildlife: Manatees, gators, birds, dolphins, fish etc.
Met : a puffer fish, starfish, blue crab, asst. varieties of sponge, jelly fish and asst. fish up close and personal.
We viewed Manatees in the wild along with rays, fish and small sharks at the Apollo Power station where the Manatees come in the winter to bask in the warm water. The Apollo station has built observation platforms and there are volunteers posted throughout the facility to answer questions and further educate the public on Manatees. This unique destination is open to the public and free of charge.
We spent an afternoon at Myaaka State Park where we saw alligators in the wild. We were about 8 feet away from a 10 gator that was enjoying his lunch, wow they have big teeth! We also experienced the Canopy bridge and tower where we were able to climb up above the tree canopy and see the trees, lakes & birds of the area. This was a great afternoon.
My DH and DS spent a day at Busch Gardens where they rode all the big coasters. Myself and DD decided to skip it as there is not a lot for the younger set to do and I am not into the extreme coasters. We went to the S. Florida Museum where we met Snooky, the resident Manatee and Museum mascot. They really are very cute.
At the Jungle Gardens in Sarasota the kids were able to hand feed flamingos. They are still talking about this experience.
One of the highlights was the entire family went Parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico. Me, the self described chicken, she who does not take risks, got strapped in and launched off a boat with my Daughter to sail 400 feet above the Gulf of Mexico. This was an awesome experience! The remainder of this day was spent lying on the beach, building sand castles and just enjoying being together as a family.
After a week with the in-laws it was time to head to WDW!
Trip report to be con't
DH 49, ME 40, DS 17 & DD 8
We departed Reno, NV Christmas morning on a 7:20 a.m. flight. Made it to Atlanta and onto our connection without incident. Due to fog, we sat on the runway for an hour before taking off for Orlando. Arrived in Orlando at 6:30 p.m. where it was warm, rainy and sticky. Picked up the luggage and hoped onto the shuttle to get the rental car at Thrifty, in and out of Thrifty with the mini van and hit the road for the in-laws. Arrived in Bradenton, Fl. By 9:15 Christmas night.
Spent the next 7 days with the In-Laws. We visited the: Mote Aquarium, the South Florida Museum and Planitarium, Busch Gardens, the Jungle Gardens, Myaaka State Park, Anna Maria Island, the Apollo Power Station and Sarasota Bay.
The weather was great, warm and sunny in the high 70s - low 80's with high humidity (at least for us high desert dwellers).
We took a Sea excursion into Sarasota Bay where we learned about the area wildlife: Manatees, gators, birds, dolphins, fish etc.
Met : a puffer fish, starfish, blue crab, asst. varieties of sponge, jelly fish and asst. fish up close and personal.
We viewed Manatees in the wild along with rays, fish and small sharks at the Apollo Power station where the Manatees come in the winter to bask in the warm water. The Apollo station has built observation platforms and there are volunteers posted throughout the facility to answer questions and further educate the public on Manatees. This unique destination is open to the public and free of charge.
We spent an afternoon at Myaaka State Park where we saw alligators in the wild. We were about 8 feet away from a 10 gator that was enjoying his lunch, wow they have big teeth! We also experienced the Canopy bridge and tower where we were able to climb up above the tree canopy and see the trees, lakes & birds of the area. This was a great afternoon.
My DH and DS spent a day at Busch Gardens where they rode all the big coasters. Myself and DD decided to skip it as there is not a lot for the younger set to do and I am not into the extreme coasters. We went to the S. Florida Museum where we met Snooky, the resident Manatee and Museum mascot. They really are very cute.
At the Jungle Gardens in Sarasota the kids were able to hand feed flamingos. They are still talking about this experience.
One of the highlights was the entire family went Parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico. Me, the self described chicken, she who does not take risks, got strapped in and launched off a boat with my Daughter to sail 400 feet above the Gulf of Mexico. This was an awesome experience! The remainder of this day was spent lying on the beach, building sand castles and just enjoying being together as a family.
After a week with the in-laws it was time to head to WDW!
Trip report to be con't
