The Ducks Go Marching one by one

A few years back we went and saw the "March of the Ducks" at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN.  There is now a Peabody in Orlando and they continue the daily tradition of ducks marching into their fountain at 11:00 a.m. and marching out at 5:00 p.m.

When we arrived just before 11:00a.m we joined the people lined up along the carpet.  As the ducks approached we were shocked that people suddenly crowded close to the carpet (many with their luggage)and blocked any angle I had for a picture.  Luckily, we could see the ducks and the kids were right up front. 

Since I couldn't get my own picture this is a picture off of the internet of the ducks walking down their red carpet.  Ironically when we were in Memphis it was during the Liberty Bowl and the place was packed with an entire college football team and their families.  Apparantly I can see the ducks, but I am destined to never get a photo of the ducks marching.

The ducks come down from their luxury penthouse on a private elevator.  Unlike Memphis,  it is around the corner down a long corridor.  If I had realized this I would have stood down here away from the crowd.

The best part was hanging out and watching the ducks eat and play in the water.

Universally good day

It had been almost two weeks since we had visited a theme park and we were going through withdrawals.  No, not really.  But it was time for Universal Studios.

We arrived just as the park opened and wondered if it was actually closed for the day.

Seriously, there was no one around the whole day.

I told them to act scared.  Apparently Kristen thought that meant sad.  Actually we were a bit sad because JAWS- the quintessential Universal ride was closed that week.

Andy got a chance to be Spiderman.

Anything you can do, I can do better...or at least try.

We had just watched the Back to the Future movies a few months ago and surprise! Doc Brown was riding his bike down the street.

"I am a donkey on the edge"

We spent over an hour playing in the ball factory.  Andy remembered this from a trip to Six Flags in Denver.  A whole building full of balls to throw and shoot- his dream come true.

After the kids had ridden the "Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rock it" four or five times they insisted I join them.  Just before the park closed I realized I would look very lame if I didn't ride a coaster my seven year old went on.  You get to choose your own "personal soundtrack" for your ride so now the Rolling Stones will take me back to lying on my back ready to plummet over the edge of the first hill.   I only wish I had gotten up the nerve to ride earlier so I could have ridden again and again. 

Swamp, Spring and Gators, oh my! - January 30th

In my research for free or cheap things to do in Orlando, I discovered that locals like to go tubing in the many natural springs in the area to cool off on hot days.  When the temperature hit 75 we decided  it was a hot day (not many locals would agree).  I was ready to hit the springs, but with the idea of gators lurking nearby, Andy requested that we visit on a weekend when there might be other families around.  A safety in numbers kind of thing.   Kelley Springs is a county park and during the non-nesting season (right now) the rangers are active to relocate gators out of the public areas.  Of course I kept thinking someone has to SEE the gator first.  I did not want to be that someone, but I was trying very hard to keep my fears in check.  Supposedly if you don't bother a gator, it won't bother you.  Another theory I was not anxious to test out. 

When we arrived there was nothing that would keep me out of that crystal clear water.  It looks like a real life "Jungle Cruise" and is a perfect 72 degrees.  Kristen, however, did not quite share my enthusiasm.  There are VERY large signs warning about gators at the entrance to the park.  After we walked up to the mouth of the springs Kristen was "seeing" gators around every river bend.  That first twenty minute trip down lasted an eternity with Kristen actually crying at one point because she was so scared.  We set her up on a blanket with a snack and Andy and I enjoyed a much more relaxing trip appreciating all of the plants and birds.

I must admit every once in awhile I imagined a log moving, but it was just that - my imagination.

Only 330 Days Until Christmas (January 29th)

David had been back at work for more than a week and we were growing restless from our daily routine of schoolwork and swimming. We decided it was time for Christmas... Christmas, Florida that is.

In Christmas it is...you guessed it...always Christmas.

Just outside of town is Fort Christmas, built on Christmas Day 1837, for use in the Seminole Indian Wars.  The Fort is now a museum within an Orange County Park.  This was our first experience at an Orlando area park and boy were we impressed.  The exhibits were great, the park clean and well maintained and admission was FREE. (perhaps Disney tax dollars at work) 

Next to the fort is a collection of historical buildings, including a pioneer village- Florida style.  It was fun to explore and look at the differences between these early homes and the homesteads we had seen in the Dakotas.  Most notably, mosquito netting, no explanation needed.  Plus, the homes were much larger with huge breezeways between rooms.  And no wood piled high to last throughout the long winter.  The lack of winter blizzards sounds appealing, but I can't quite get past that mosquito netting and these fine specimens in the mudroom.

Of course some things never change. 

Completely unrelated to Florida history, Christmas is also home to the worlds largest Alligator, "Swampy."

Water Fun

Apparently the Disney water parks can be as packed as the theme parks on a hot summer day.  I can assure you this is not the case when it is a sunny 75 degree January day. 

Blizzard Beach looks like a blizzard hit a water park. 

Maybe everyone thought it  was actually snowing and stayed away??

Typhoon Lagoon has the most amazing wave pool.  At random intervals a giant wave hits the shore.  Super fun if you can thread water and stay out in the deep water.  Not as much fun if you are Kristen and you keep getting pounded in the shallow water.  Still couldn't keep her away from the water. 

McDreamin' at Daytona

How to torture my wonderful husband--make him come to Florida knowing he has to leave for work before the start of Speed Week at Daytona.  Luckily, the drivers of the Rolex 24 (January 28th/29th) were practicing at the speedway on the 7th and 8th.  After three straight days at Disney I was ready to bail out and send my family without me.  David kept mentioning that Patrick Dempsey owned two of the competing teams.  Maybe I could see McDreamy drive his car...

Which I did.

Then David discovered that we could drive through the tunnel, park in the infield and hang out in the garages.

David and Andy were busy with all of the other race fans getting autographs from Juan Pablo Montoya and Jimmie Johnson. 

Kristen and I walked down to the nearly deserted end of the garages to Dempsey Racing.  A helpful crew member divulged that Patrick was having lunch and would be back in 30 minutes.  Sure enough a half hour later a golf cart honked at us and McDreamy said hello. 

Darn it all,  I might have to start going to races with David!

 

Later we met team owner, Chip Ganassi.  Weeks later his team won the Rolex 24.

I never thought I would see my little Corolla on the infield at Daytona.