Category: Outings

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Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary

Couple selfie at Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration at Front of Cinderella Castle looking down Main Street
Front of Cinderella Castle Looking Down Main Street

We were lucky enough to find available days to attend Walt Disney World’s 50 Anniversary opening day. The crowds were crazy at the gate. The thing to purchase was the popcorn buckets shaped like balloons in red, green, yellow, or blue. It was crazy seeing people wait in the very long lines for popcorn or carrying around eight popcorn buckets.

We were excited to make it into the day one tent sale of “The Anniversary Collection” to purchased requested gifts and Annual Passholder items for us including pins. We also picked up the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Geometric Starbucks Tumbler, which had people almost fighting over them.

Restaurant interior view of Disney’s Space 220 restaurant.
Space 220 Restaurant Interior

Space 220 Restaurant had a soft opening that started the day we arrived in Walt Disney World. We learned no seatings were available. Later in the day, we stopped by to confirm the lack of seatings, but we found a line. We learned, on as able basis, they were sitting people in the bar area. After a long friendly wait chatting with others in the line, we were welcomed into Space 220. We learned about half capacity was not being used in the restaurant. People, from our line, were being seated in the dining and bar area with the full menu available to both areas. The food was amazing. We had the Blue Moon Cauliflower, Starry Calamari, Florida Red Snapper, and X2 Duck. We finished with Lemon Mousse and Mango Gelato.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure Entrance to Ride

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was next up on our list. Being Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club, we frequently get early access to new attractions. Disney expanded The France pavilion to include new space for restaurants and the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction. It is a 3D motion ride from the perspective of Remy going through Gusteau’s famous restaurant.

Overall, it was a great trip to Walt Disney World with beautiful weather and reduced Covid restrictions.

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Spring in Rome

StrawberriesThe weather has been great this Spring. We have been so busy, but we worked in a day of strawberry picking.

If we only had time to pick more as they are so tasty.

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Katie Beth’s First Sailing Lesson

We had a great time today at Katie Beth’s first sailing lesson. The weather was nice, but initially the wind didn’t cooperate. It gave Katie Beth’s instructor, Buzz Cole, time to go back over sailing details and safety.

Once on the water, Katie Beth seemed to enjoy sailing. But, she got a bit excited when the sail boat really caught the wind and moved out. The water coming over the gunnel definitely got her excited.

We are looking forward to more sailing lessons.

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Fall Break is Awesome

SunsetWe are enjoying the sunsets and wonderful weather as we relax during this awesome Fall Break

Katie Beth is finding loads of children to play with ever time we visit the beach. She has been learning how to use a wakeboard and is getting better each day.

Karen is having a blast with her metal detector. She hasn’t struck the mother load, but she did come close finding someone’s lost wedding ring. Otherwise, she is finding coins, tent stakes, and trash.  It is amazing that people will bury all the beer cans that he or she has drank. Karen found 12 beer cans in one spot.  The wedding ring had been lost out in the gulf a few days prior to our available and it had washing up and was buried in the sand.  Karen was ever excited about the finding.

You can see more of our photos here.  The username and password are “Friends” and “Photos”.

 

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The Start of Fall Break

Katie Beth’s Fall Break has started. We are having a small detour with a night of camping before we head to the beach. Our detour was caused by Hurricane Nate arriving this weekend.

Karen has had her heart set on returning to Lei Lani for Fall Break. She just loves the beach in early Fall. The water is warm and days are not the full heat of summer. It is funny because our last travel plans were canceled due Hurricane Irma hitting Florida.

But, the weather is great for camping so this will be prefect start to her break.

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Shark Tooth Fossil Dig

We having a wonderful time digging for fossils. The weather is just awesome. Karen is in her element.

Katie Beth got to play with friends and dig in dirt and water.  What more could you want?

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Float on Flint Creek with Alabama EcoAdventures

Karen had been trying to get Katie Beth on the list for North Alabama Land Trust‘s “Tuesdays On the Trail” event today. At the last minute, Karen got word that they had space. So, Katie Beth and I made a mad dash to get ready and drive to Decatur.
We had a fun time paddling Flint Creek. The weather was warm, but the trees provided a lot of shade. Katie Beth was tired by the halfway point of our trip. I enjoyed the workout that paddling provides especial given the limited amount of paddling by Katie Beth.

I would truly recommend checking the Tuesday’s On The Trail.

You can see more photos here. Remember, the username and password are “Friends” and “Photos”.

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What a day in Nashville!

We took our friend and his daughter to Nashville to catch a flight to see his other daughter’s child’s christening.  After the airport drop-off, we headed to the Parthenon,  Along the way, we stopped by a White Castle for Karen’s breakfast and her first White Castle experience.

AthenaAfter arriving at the Parthenon, Katie Beth was demanding that we moved to the center piece the the event, which was the Athena statue.  It was impressive.  The builders provided a rich history of how the building and statue came about to be.  After seeing it and all of the other artwork in the Parthenon, we walked the beautiful grounds of the park.  Hunger soon came upon us.

Next up was lunch, we headed to the Tailgate Beer’s Music Row. The pizza, beer, and outside seating was the winner for us.  But for Katie Beth, Drew Lord’s mural and that he was working on it today was the winner.  Katie Beth sat close to the mural and watched Drew work on it.  After awhile, Drew approach Katie Beth and they chatted about art and drawing.  He asked Katie Beth if she would like to help him with the mural.  Drew Lord, being a parent, said check with her parents.  Katie Beth quickly ran to us and to confirm that it was okay.

Drew Lord and Katie Beth WorkingDrew asked Katie Beth to color in some details in a section of the mural.  Katie Beth was intent with her work and focused. It was fun for Karen and I to watch Katie Beth painting maybe even more fun for us watching than her painting.

After Katie Beth finished the section, Drew had her sign her work, which was a very sweet thing to do.  Drew, thanks for the cool opportunity.

What a day it has been!  We look forward to returning to Nashville, soon.

You can see more photos here. Remember, the username and password are “Friends” and “Photos”.