Day Four

Well, today has been a busy day, just like any other.  It started early and ended late.  As for me, I'm still up writing this.

Olivia conked out around 10 p.m. on the boat Friendship 7 from Epcot to Hollywood Studios.  Tonight, Hollywood Studios had extra magic hours for those staying in Disney Resorts.  

I have been trying to hit all of the 'big boy' rides with Heath.  We missed the chance to ride the Rock N' Roll Roller Coaster together the other day.  Tonight, we went to make up for it.  After a short wait, I believe I've been on the coolest roller coaster to date.  Certainly, it tops the cake of those here in Disney Parks.  

You start off in a recording studio, with Aerosmith as the band.  Cool already, huh?  Well, after a brief simulation of a recording session, their manager comes in and says that they are late for the show.  Being the cool guys they are, they don't want to leave us behind.  So, they arrange for a super stretch limo (really fast one, too) to take us to the concert with backstage passes.

The doors open and we enter the actual 'ride' of the attraction.  The coaster is like an old stretch Caddy limo....and when you strap yourself in, get ready.  You sit on the 'launching pad'  for a few, just building up the anticipation....then it takes off, tires squealing, and this thing pins you back in your seat.  This coaster is in the dark, with some lighted traffic signs, etc., and it doesn't slow down not even once.  You do make a couple of corkscrew turns, which is way cool.

Anyway, I do plan to recap this whole trip, but hey, time flies.  We have breakfast with Mary Poppins and friends tomorrow ($ouch!) morning, and then we leave.  Check the galleries.  More pics coming.

Day Two

My apologies for not posting, but it's been hectic.  Funny we call these adventures "vacations".  I think I've been doing more work and planning than normal.

Anyway, until i can find the time and energy to post daily with a real recap of all the fun,

enjoy these photos!

See the link http://gallery.mac.com/jkj269#100022

Travel Day 2

This morning we slept in until 7:20.  What a nice change from the day before.  We got dressed and headed downstairs for Belgian waffles and biscuits and gravy.  The Guidrys were already there and nearly done eating.  Seems their little world woke up early.  After we all got our stuff together ready to go, panic!

"Where is my Garmin?"

I thought I had lost it.  I was ticked off, to say the least.  Finally, after turning the suitcases we had brought in inside out, I found it.  It was safely nestled in the side pocket of the soon-to-be antique Olympics collapsable luggage/tote.

"Whew!"

I paid $4.27 per gallon at Chevron in Lake City, Florida.  Luckily, I was just putting in a total of five gallons.  Overall, we are getting pretty decent gas mileage...20 miles to the gallon.  For our Trailblazer, that's as good as it gets.

Amy drove the trek down I-75 and the Florida Turnpike.  I noticed that the turnpike, other than being a toll road, which I believe cost us around $4.00 to traverse, was also called the Ronald Reagan Road or something, which reminds me of the sorry state of affairs that our country is in.  

Nevertheless, we made it!  We are here at Walt Disney World!  As we passed through the archway leading into the resort/park area, we were listening to the final music of Beauty and the Beast, which Olivia was watching in the back seat.  It was kind of magical....especially watching Olivia's face.

Travel Day 1

The day started early for us.  Amy awoke for some reason before 2 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep.  Just when we settled back in, Olivia came to the bed.  Amy noticed that her blanket was damp (she carries this soft pink blanket with her).  

Her first thought was "Oh no, she's wet through her diaper!"

As we proceeded to get up out of bed to take care of the wet bottom, etc., Olivia peeled out of her panties.  

"Amy!  Did you put her diaper on over her panties last night", I mumbled through the fog of sleep.

The realization hit us both at the same time....there never was a diaper!  So, we changed into fresh jammies (and a diaper this time) and attempted to go back to sleep.  With Olivia, myself, and Amy in the same queen bed it can get kind of crowded.  Not that there isn't enough room, but Olivia isn't the best of bed partners.  She tends to KICK, and I'm usually the victim.

So, to the spare bedroom I went to stretch out under one heck of a ceiling fan.  

5 a.m.....Amy is up.  She wants me to get up.  Around 5:30 I manage to drag myself out of a decent slumber.  Ice chest is loaded up, which strains my back.  I just had to get that new ice chest with rollers on it, you know.

We ran and topped off the tank in town.  $3.99 a gallon.  Then we went through McDonald's to get iced coffee and a diet coke.  Then to meet Jessica, Heath, and Fritzman to swap goods.  Iced coffee for a box of steaming hot Harlow's Donuts.  If you've never had Harlow's--it's the closest thing to Krispy Kreme you'll get around Pineville.

We drove to Port Allen for a rest stop; then to Mobile, Alabama for refueling (still $3.99 a gallon); then to the Florida Welcome Center to stretch our legs and for Olivia and Fritz to decompress from the car ride thus far.  Oh, did I forget orange juice?

We picked up some coupons for discount hotels.  Or next stop was Tallahassee.  Not without another potty break, though.  When we arrived at our hotel in Tallahassee, the Guidrys were in the parking lot waiting.  We talked and decided, since we are feeling all spunky and stuff, to drive two more hours to Lake City, Florida.

So, here at the Jameson Inn we are.  We've been to Cracker Barrel, where we all ate more than we should at such a late hour.  At least, we will get to sleep in tomorrow morning a little later.  

Next stop....ORLANDO!

T-Minus 10 hours

Well, the Trailblazer is packed. GPS is installed and ready.  All the bare essentials are packed.  We are ready.  Now to get rest.

The plan is to leave here (Pineville) at 7 a.m.  I will keep you posted.

T Minus 3 Days

This is all about our trip to Disney 2008.  We are Jeff, Amy, and Olivia Johnson.  We are embarking on a first-ever vacation with friends, the Guidry's, i.e., Heath, Jessica, and Fritz.  The whole focus of this trip is for the kids, you know, Olivia and Fritz.  Olivia soon will be four, and Fritzman has just turned three.  Together, be prepared to reap the whirlwind!

Of course, we adults wish to enjoy ourselves on this little trip too.  Afterall, it is the mother of all vacations, right?  The happiest place on earth, right?  Well, we shall see.  All of us, less Olivia, has experienced the 'magic kingdom' before.  For Amy and I, it has been quite a few years.  

So, in a just three days, we embark on our little adventure.  Much of the packing, preparation, and endless planning sessions (keep burning that midnight oil, Jess!) have already taken place. Vehicles have been maintained, washed, waxed, detailed and scotch-guarded for the trip.  Groceries have been bought, money scratched together and saved, and all is prepared.  The question is....ARE WE (the adults) READY?