Hello all from the Sheraton Premier at Tyson's Corner. Today was a rest day for Megan and I. April got started immediately from the airport. Turns out that the activites started at 7 and by the time she got to the hotel she only had time to change, grab something to eat and then immediately to meetings. She called me at midnight - they had just been let out. They were to start again at 7 am.
Well it turns out that both Megan and I were awake at 7:30 and we should have stayed up but since we were on vacation, we slept in. I managed to turn off the radio and alarm which I set up the night before. Weird thing, when I set up the alarm, the wake up was set to radio which had a station on it and was playing music. But when the alarm went off, it was just dead air space. So I blame the radio to getting up at 12:30. That was me and I forced Megan to get up. We left the hotel using the shuttle bus they have for transportation. We got to Tyson's Corner shopping mall and discovered that they had over 300 stores! Shopping heaven for me. Turns out that we got there around 2 and Megan said at 4 pm. We will have to come back here again since the mall closes at 6 pm (according to the hotel lobby desk) turns out we did have enough time.
Also turns out we hit the semi-annual shoe sale at Nordy. We had a ball. Between the two of us, we managed to snag 7 pairs of shoes for $221. Two pairs were Born shoes which I've always wanted to try but haven't been able to afford. Thanks to my new favorite store - I got 2 which are awesome! I'm in love, move over Me Too! I got a new favorite - for now.
Anyway, we walked the whole mall, we didn't get to casually peruse everything but its a good thing we didn't else I might have broke Steve. We went to White House, Black Market, got some awesome stuff, and Aeropostale which is really running a fantastic clearance sale on sweats. We hit American Eagle and got some wonderfull over the shoulder type bags which I intend to use here as I feel a bit more secure here than a handle purse - one can never be too sure.
Well, on the way to get our shuttle back to the hotel, we managed to stop by a store which had my Dermalogica products which my spa back home can't seem to keep in stock. Anyway, Megan saw a cute Juicy Couture bathing suit - reminiscent of an Ester Williams suit so I got that one for her upcoming birthday. I liked it so much - I wanted one but was afraid that I would get laughed at. LOL
Well, while we waited to get the shuttle bus, I just called the hotel where I was told that it was on its way - I have to say, I have never used a shuttle bus at a hotel before and I think that it is not 1/2 bad. I don't have to drive anywhere - which I am a nervous driver in an area I am not familiar with and found out that they have a shuttle bus which may takes us to the West Falls Metro Station. So I got a lot of useful information. Guess I better find out what else the concierge may be able to do for us.
Well, we get back to the hotel about 8:45 and instead of getting back out we decided to order Dominoes Pizza delivered. I'm sure we got quite a few looks when we walked down to pick it up but I don't think I could stomach another dinner at the hotel back to back. I liked the food but I don't want to spend all my money in one place.
April called me, she was in a meeting at 9 but we met in the bathroom - kinda felt like we were doing something we were not supposed to be doing - you know like sneaking a cigarette in the bathroom? I thought she was going to be happy to see me but instead, she only wanted money. I was a bit disappointed but I managed to sneak in a kiss. I feel better now about telling her that we will be moving into town to be nearer to the sights. We shall see tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be the telling tale. We get to try out the transportation and gauge how long it takes to travel into town. Lord, I am a bit worried. I hope all goes well and nothing or no one attacks us. I know I sound like a worrywort but in LA - it is probably not a good idea for single women to take a metro or subway especially alone at night. I have heard only good things about the metro here and I've researched a lot as long as carrying a map I bought from Borders. I used the same map company for getting around Barcelona and Rome it was pretty true. The map I used is made by the Streetwise Maps, Inc. based out of Sarasota, FL. They make many maps of all locations, I've got one for central Paris which familiarized me to Paris and made me feel like I could manuver comfortably.
Well, tonight was nice, I am sitting here looking at my bags and I am definitely going to be using that 2nd suitcase. LOL
Steve told me to not plan anything to play things by ear as I seem to stress less when I play it by ear and I think I may listen to him. There are things I want to definitely see so I think I am going to get off here and make a list and plan on hitting them sometime within the next 9 days. Still have decided if I really want to trek down to Williamsburg. I'd like too but really the thought of driving - I'm feeling kinda lazy you know?
Ok folks, getting off - the princess has texted me - she needs something. I should have realized that when I was "elected" to accompany her highness to DC that I was at her beck and call. SIGH! I think I know how Steve must feel right about now! Just Kidding - I am not that bad. ROTFL.
Stay tuned tomorrow to hear how we fared on our first metro trip into DC. Keep a prayer out for me folks, fingers crossed or whatever else you can cross. I always worried that my kids would get themselves into scrapes but so far this year, I think its me who's been getting into scrapes and situations only I could get myself into. I sincerely hope that the girls don't inherit this ability! LOL - although I don't have to worry about finding a solution if something happens to me - Megan assured me that if anything happened to me and I was incapsicated, she would make a phone call and get things taken care off. At least she knows who to call. There's hope for that girl yet!
OK all - later gators!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Washington Dulles, Saturday, June 14, 2008
Hey me! I'm dead tired but have to blog or it gets out of control. OK - here's the lowdown. The girls and I boarded the plane w/o incident. BTW, there was a tween who was on the plane with a live turtle. That was an interesting observation. Well, back to my update.
Boarded Virgin America - which by the way did now allow me to pre-check but might be because they are still setting up this airline. Folks, let me tell you - I sincerely liked this plane. Not sure what it was as numbers don't really interest me - guess I should have but the plane was nice - regular 3 seats on each side of the aisle. The girls and I took up row 19A, B, C. The nice thing about this was that I was able to sit comfortably w/o banging my knees on the seat in front of me. Remember my description of the May flight on Delta? Well, this was one was a bit bumpier than that one and we did have a crying kid on there but you know what? I would fly this airline again in a heartbeat. As I said, the interior was white with a sorta magenta mood lighting in the middle just below the windows. The seats were black leather and each seat had its own little screen. Only complimentary stuff provided was of course, soda, juices and coffee. Anything else you had to pay for and get this folks, they didn't accept cash. You had to pay for it via credit card on the little screen in front of you. Then once you place an order, it was processed and brought to you in your seat. What was even funnier was that each seat had its own little "Wii-type" control in the armrest. One side wa like a remote and then you flipped it over and it was like a little Wii control. This allowed you to play games, view movies which you had to pay for but they did have some free movies which Megan says were pretty lame movies. As for me? I spent it playing some stupid (not really) dominoe type game which you had to pair up before they disappeared. I have played this game before and I am pretty good at it but I was really enjoying laughing at myself because I was playing with only 2 hrs of sleep in me. Plus no breakfast. April, thank God she ordered breakfast, had an egg mcmuffin type sandwich but Megan and decided to wait until later on the plane, then we ended up all falling asleep so we didn't eat all day until later. More on that later.
So anyway, with my reaction time extremely slowed down, I decided to hit the light and try to catch some sleep - which we all did. The flight turned out to be pretty full and very bumpy, but with the condition of the plane and the niceness of it - it wasn't /2 as bad as the May flight. I will definitely love to fly Virgin America again. Heck, I may just have to take Virgin Atlantic to Europe just to try them out too. LOL - seems that VAmerica may have just started flying into Dulles.
Before we landed, we were placed into 2 holding patterns due to rain but we landed actually pretty smoothly. We disembarked but I made April call the NYLC to explain that she was on the ground but still in the plane. That little girl surprised me - she is really taking steps to becoming more independant. I thought I was going to have to do everything for her but she got her stuff together (with some strong coaching from Mom) and her paperwork. I oversaw it a bit but of course w/o her knowing. Anyway, once we disembarked, we hightailed it to carasoul 14 picked up our suitcases and then Megan and I dumped April off with the reps from NYLC.
Megan and I then hit the Supershuttle counter where we paid $32 for both of us to be taken to the Sheraton Premier at Tyson's Corner where we beat April by about 15 minutes. She had to pay $40 to take their shuttle (which non-invited people were not allowed to take). That's ok - I think this trip will be doing wonders for her self-esteem. Just before I left her - I asked her if she would have been afraid w/o me and she said yes but if I can handle it never having been here - she could too. That's my girl! Anyway, little confession here -Megan reminded me as we were leaving that she and I have actually been here - you see, way back when Megan was in 8th grade, I accompanied her and her American Heritage Group to a Washington DC trip. We landed in Dulles Intl Airport - where they had examples of their future monorail cars displayed. They are very similar to what Orlando has.
So, Megan and I here, seems we are in a mostly business district but that was a rather late evening observation. We ended up having dinner in the restaurant or rather the bar portion of the restaurant as the actual restaurant was closed but you know what? It actually turned out pretty nice. It was a bit expensive but the food wasn't 1/2 bad. It surprised me. I had penne pasta with sausage, spinach and broccoli and Megan had a grill ham and cheese panini (think grilled ham and cheese sandwich) ROTFLMAO which was actually pretty good. I had good old-fashinoned ice tea and later we split a chocolate brownie with ice cream - I took 2 bites of it and left it. It was not to my liking - even if I had to pay $9 for it. Megan and I decided that no matter what - tomorrow we are eating outside - Dinner came out to about $75 for us two alone - w/o drinks.
So, the rooms are about $264 a night and have a double bed. The room is fairly big sized but I'm not sure I want to spend 11 nights here for that rate. Once we explore a bit - we may decide to move into Washington DC if I can find a more decent rate. I like the hotel, it had a nice ambiance, but if April is ok with us leaving - I think I might enjoy being closer to the hubbub of the nation - its a bit too quiet here for me. Although tonight I am rather glad. I am sitting here typing with my eyes 1/2 closed so I may be ending this here.
Oh - by the way, found out that the hotel has a courtesy shuttle to Tyson's Corner Mall every 1 hr until 10 pm and since MEGAN FORGOT HER SWIMSUIT - we just have to go and get one. FYI - I managed to fit everything I had into one small suitcase - but that one went into a bigger one "just in case of souvenirs." Yeah right - whom I kidding? I need my dose of shopping. ROTFL
Oh yeah - another reason to like Virgin America? One suitcase is free up to 70 lbs! A second suitcase up to 50 # is $25 and then anymore up to 10 is $50. So I'll bite the bullet and pay the extra $25 if I "buy anything." LOL
OK - looks like Megan found this Ghost Graveyard Tour in Alexandria - only about 22 miles from the hotel, was hoping to get away w/o renting a car buy may have to do it. Also, she got really excited to find out there is a Museum of Crime and Punishment - she says she'll punish me if I don't take her. HHHHMMMMM...........that girl sounds more and more like me. What did I create? ROTFL
As for me, I'm looking forward to cruising the Potomac River at night to veiw the monuments by night. Got my monopod and lenses ready - I hope they turn out. And speaking of turning out - I am turning in - dead beat and hope to catch up to all the Easterners by Sunday. My computer says 7:19 but its really 10:19 and these old eyes are tired. So with that folks, its off to slumberland for me.
Stay tuned for our further adventures in Washington DC updates as I add them.
Nighty Night!
Boarded Virgin America - which by the way did now allow me to pre-check but might be because they are still setting up this airline. Folks, let me tell you - I sincerely liked this plane. Not sure what it was as numbers don't really interest me - guess I should have but the plane was nice - regular 3 seats on each side of the aisle. The girls and I took up row 19A, B, C. The nice thing about this was that I was able to sit comfortably w/o banging my knees on the seat in front of me. Remember my description of the May flight on Delta? Well, this was one was a bit bumpier than that one and we did have a crying kid on there but you know what? I would fly this airline again in a heartbeat. As I said, the interior was white with a sorta magenta mood lighting in the middle just below the windows. The seats were black leather and each seat had its own little screen. Only complimentary stuff provided was of course, soda, juices and coffee. Anything else you had to pay for and get this folks, they didn't accept cash. You had to pay for it via credit card on the little screen in front of you. Then once you place an order, it was processed and brought to you in your seat. What was even funnier was that each seat had its own little "Wii-type" control in the armrest. One side wa like a remote and then you flipped it over and it was like a little Wii control. This allowed you to play games, view movies which you had to pay for but they did have some free movies which Megan says were pretty lame movies. As for me? I spent it playing some stupid (not really) dominoe type game which you had to pair up before they disappeared. I have played this game before and I am pretty good at it but I was really enjoying laughing at myself because I was playing with only 2 hrs of sleep in me. Plus no breakfast. April, thank God she ordered breakfast, had an egg mcmuffin type sandwich but Megan and decided to wait until later on the plane, then we ended up all falling asleep so we didn't eat all day until later. More on that later.
So anyway, with my reaction time extremely slowed down, I decided to hit the light and try to catch some sleep - which we all did. The flight turned out to be pretty full and very bumpy, but with the condition of the plane and the niceness of it - it wasn't /2 as bad as the May flight. I will definitely love to fly Virgin America again. Heck, I may just have to take Virgin Atlantic to Europe just to try them out too. LOL - seems that VAmerica may have just started flying into Dulles.
Before we landed, we were placed into 2 holding patterns due to rain but we landed actually pretty smoothly. We disembarked but I made April call the NYLC to explain that she was on the ground but still in the plane. That little girl surprised me - she is really taking steps to becoming more independant. I thought I was going to have to do everything for her but she got her stuff together (with some strong coaching from Mom) and her paperwork. I oversaw it a bit but of course w/o her knowing. Anyway, once we disembarked, we hightailed it to carasoul 14 picked up our suitcases and then Megan and I dumped April off with the reps from NYLC.
Megan and I then hit the Supershuttle counter where we paid $32 for both of us to be taken to the Sheraton Premier at Tyson's Corner where we beat April by about 15 minutes. She had to pay $40 to take their shuttle (which non-invited people were not allowed to take). That's ok - I think this trip will be doing wonders for her self-esteem. Just before I left her - I asked her if she would have been afraid w/o me and she said yes but if I can handle it never having been here - she could too. That's my girl! Anyway, little confession here -Megan reminded me as we were leaving that she and I have actually been here - you see, way back when Megan was in 8th grade, I accompanied her and her American Heritage Group to a Washington DC trip. We landed in Dulles Intl Airport - where they had examples of their future monorail cars displayed. They are very similar to what Orlando has.
So, Megan and I here, seems we are in a mostly business district but that was a rather late evening observation. We ended up having dinner in the restaurant or rather the bar portion of the restaurant as the actual restaurant was closed but you know what? It actually turned out pretty nice. It was a bit expensive but the food wasn't 1/2 bad. It surprised me. I had penne pasta with sausage, spinach and broccoli and Megan had a grill ham and cheese panini (think grilled ham and cheese sandwich) ROTFLMAO which was actually pretty good. I had good old-fashinoned ice tea and later we split a chocolate brownie with ice cream - I took 2 bites of it and left it. It was not to my liking - even if I had to pay $9 for it. Megan and I decided that no matter what - tomorrow we are eating outside - Dinner came out to about $75 for us two alone - w/o drinks.
So, the rooms are about $264 a night and have a double bed. The room is fairly big sized but I'm not sure I want to spend 11 nights here for that rate. Once we explore a bit - we may decide to move into Washington DC if I can find a more decent rate. I like the hotel, it had a nice ambiance, but if April is ok with us leaving - I think I might enjoy being closer to the hubbub of the nation - its a bit too quiet here for me. Although tonight I am rather glad. I am sitting here typing with my eyes 1/2 closed so I may be ending this here.
Oh - by the way, found out that the hotel has a courtesy shuttle to Tyson's Corner Mall every 1 hr until 10 pm and since MEGAN FORGOT HER SWIMSUIT - we just have to go and get one. FYI - I managed to fit everything I had into one small suitcase - but that one went into a bigger one "just in case of souvenirs." Yeah right - whom I kidding? I need my dose of shopping. ROTFL
Oh yeah - another reason to like Virgin America? One suitcase is free up to 70 lbs! A second suitcase up to 50 # is $25 and then anymore up to 10 is $50. So I'll bite the bullet and pay the extra $25 if I "buy anything." LOL
OK - looks like Megan found this Ghost Graveyard Tour in Alexandria - only about 22 miles from the hotel, was hoping to get away w/o renting a car buy may have to do it. Also, she got really excited to find out there is a Museum of Crime and Punishment - she says she'll punish me if I don't take her. HHHHMMMMM...........that girl sounds more and more like me. What did I create? ROTFL
As for me, I'm looking forward to cruising the Potomac River at night to veiw the monuments by night. Got my monopod and lenses ready - I hope they turn out. And speaking of turning out - I am turning in - dead beat and hope to catch up to all the Easterners by Sunday. My computer says 7:19 but its really 10:19 and these old eyes are tired. So with that folks, its off to slumberland for me.
Stay tuned for our further adventures in Washington DC updates as I add them.
Nighty Night!
So it starts!
Ok folks, the Elliott females have left the house. We r all working on 2 he's of sleep but we made it. Left the house at 5:42. Got to LAX by 6:10. No curbside check-in & check in lines were huge. HOWEVER it moved fairly quickly. Printed our boarding pass from the only working kiosks then waited to drop our bags off. Online did not work last night. The process was fairly painless and moved at a fair pace. Plane leaves at 8-Virgin America flight 616. Boards at 7:30. Called mom for my blessing and she's on her walk. Feels like déjà by only she's walking and its the girls instead of Steve and I. Ok off for now. More later. Fingers crossed that Virgin America continues its good marks. LOL
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, May 25th
Well, so Sunday, I spent showing my adopted family around SoCal as they hadn't been to Disneyland. Turns out the family has been DVC members since '97. THey have travelled everywhere using their points and even to Washington DC which it turns out folks, I will be escorting my youngest to Dulles Airport along with my oldest DD. It turns out that she (April) used the very persuasive arguement of: what happens if something tries to steal me? I can't be left alone. So Megan, April and myself will be departing for Washington D.C. on Saturday morning, June 14th and will be returning on Wednesday, June 25th at about 9:30 or something like that.
As if I need something else to add to my already packed summer right? So for those of you that have checked back into this blog - stay tuned for my further adventures of Megan and me in Washington DC's metro. I have been assured by several sources that I should not have any problems. But as some of you that know me - I can make a mountain out of a molehill. Right now I was trying to figure out if I can make a sidetrip to Colonial Williamsburg. I went once with Megan when she was in 8th grade but we only had about 3 hours there. I really want to spend some time there but have been told that it maybe about 2-3 hrs from where I will be staying. I am hoping to stay somewhere near Tyson's Corner which is near Vienna, VA. April will be staying at the Marriott at Tyson's Corner I believe in a room with 3 other girls.
One thing I am looking forward too is spending a few days thoroughly enjoying the Smithsonian museums. Any WASHINGTON DC experts out there with some suggestions? LOL
OK - so Sunday, the 25th I spent breaking bread with my adopted family and my real family and we all had an excellent time. My tablemates ended up being overweight on some of their luggage and so I lent them one large duffel bag which we will be picking up in September when we get off the 5-day cruise. They live in Vero Beach and we will be making dinner plans. You know, I've always read stories on how some people made lasting friendships on a Disney cruise but other than Pam and Christie & Ken, oh yeah and Liz and Neil and......ok ok - so I've made some friendship too - I had not taken anyone home - much less to my mother's house. LOL. Good thing we all hit it off. Did I mention that once we got to talking, turns out that They have family in Laredo, TX where - believe it or not - my mother has one cousin who has been there for ages and lives off the main hwy. Turns out they may know them - how's that for a small world? We are researching this news as I type - how crazy is that???????
So, after eating an honest to goodness authentic Mexican Meal - cooked by my mother of course - the Queen does not cook on vacation - LOL - we headed off to show them CA's Downtown Disney and the relatively closeness of the two parks. I also showed them the Grand CA, Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier and where the new DVC villas will be. They just ende dup buying some more points so that they can continue to take trips since "mom" enjoyed this cruise so much. I only wish my mom would travel with us. But alas! It is not meant to be for now.
So after Downtown Disney - I took them to In-N-Out burgers where they told me that they really like it - they compared it to a chain out there in FL but the name escapes me now. After the snack, we went to our house to pick up their luggage while my mom and new mom went back to my mom's house to eat pan dulce - Mexican sweet bread with coffee. While at my house, Rapheal tried to do online check in and was denied which we later ound out was because they were "randomly picked" for a luggage inspection by the airlines. We ended up leaving Norwalk at around 8:45 and got to the airport by 9:10. Don't know if it was because it was Memorial Day weekend folks, but after telling them that LA traffic was horrible, we had smooth sailing. We packed all the bags and folks into our Expedition and the Mercedes which happily held all the girls including my Megan and April as well as Angelica, Claudia, Patricia, Maria and myself. The Expedition held Steve, Raphael and David. We dropped them off in departures and April joined Steve to allow him to use the carpool lane which was unnecessary as we had abosulutely no traffic and we ended up speeding home around 80 mph - that was the flow of traffic folks. I was going 75 and getting honked at.
So, then Megan and I headed back to my mother's house where we spent a few more minutes talking and then I headed home completely exhuasted. The next day I took it easy and the following day - Tuesday - I came up getting sick where I ended up having to go to the doctor's on Friday. Turns out I got some awful flu. This folks, brings you all up to date, I will not be posting pictures and other info on the DISboards.
Please check back periodically as I will posting our Washington DC escapades here too. For those that don't know me - during vacation and travel trips - I tend to be very adventurous which is not really me in realy life. My girls think that I am a bit risky but I am just trying to show them that they have to take the bull by the horns in order to get ahead in life - they tend to be rather shy. I hoe that they learn and grow up to be as adventurous as I like to think I am.
Ok folks, my duty is over for now - stay tuned around June 14th for our Girls Only portion of my summer vacation - Megan and Laura's Adventures through Washingont's Metro lines. Anyone want to take bets on how many times we will miss our stops? I have been assured that its very safe and guess what I just found out? Seems that the one hotel I am looking at is actually right across the street from am major shopping mall and galleria - one of the bigger ones in the Nation or so it claims. Leave it to me to find that out first! ROTFLMAO! SHHH!!!! I'm keeping that part secret from Steve. Heck I am even considering packing only my underwear and one or two days clothing and spending a few days totally immersed in finding out what the East Coast has in their shopping mall.
Ok folks - stay tuned and thanks for all our comments. Makes me feel really good that I have contributed to your questions and have been able to allay some of your fears for our EB trip.
Take care and God Bless!
As if I need something else to add to my already packed summer right? So for those of you that have checked back into this blog - stay tuned for my further adventures of Megan and me in Washington DC's metro. I have been assured by several sources that I should not have any problems. But as some of you that know me - I can make a mountain out of a molehill. Right now I was trying to figure out if I can make a sidetrip to Colonial Williamsburg. I went once with Megan when she was in 8th grade but we only had about 3 hours there. I really want to spend some time there but have been told that it maybe about 2-3 hrs from where I will be staying. I am hoping to stay somewhere near Tyson's Corner which is near Vienna, VA. April will be staying at the Marriott at Tyson's Corner I believe in a room with 3 other girls.
One thing I am looking forward too is spending a few days thoroughly enjoying the Smithsonian museums. Any WASHINGTON DC experts out there with some suggestions? LOL
OK - so Sunday, the 25th I spent breaking bread with my adopted family and my real family and we all had an excellent time. My tablemates ended up being overweight on some of their luggage and so I lent them one large duffel bag which we will be picking up in September when we get off the 5-day cruise. They live in Vero Beach and we will be making dinner plans. You know, I've always read stories on how some people made lasting friendships on a Disney cruise but other than Pam and Christie & Ken, oh yeah and Liz and Neil and......ok ok - so I've made some friendship too - I had not taken anyone home - much less to my mother's house. LOL. Good thing we all hit it off. Did I mention that once we got to talking, turns out that They have family in Laredo, TX where - believe it or not - my mother has one cousin who has been there for ages and lives off the main hwy. Turns out they may know them - how's that for a small world? We are researching this news as I type - how crazy is that???????
So, after eating an honest to goodness authentic Mexican Meal - cooked by my mother of course - the Queen does not cook on vacation - LOL - we headed off to show them CA's Downtown Disney and the relatively closeness of the two parks. I also showed them the Grand CA, Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier and where the new DVC villas will be. They just ende dup buying some more points so that they can continue to take trips since "mom" enjoyed this cruise so much. I only wish my mom would travel with us. But alas! It is not meant to be for now.
So after Downtown Disney - I took them to In-N-Out burgers where they told me that they really like it - they compared it to a chain out there in FL but the name escapes me now. After the snack, we went to our house to pick up their luggage while my mom and new mom went back to my mom's house to eat pan dulce - Mexican sweet bread with coffee. While at my house, Rapheal tried to do online check in and was denied which we later ound out was because they were "randomly picked" for a luggage inspection by the airlines. We ended up leaving Norwalk at around 8:45 and got to the airport by 9:10. Don't know if it was because it was Memorial Day weekend folks, but after telling them that LA traffic was horrible, we had smooth sailing. We packed all the bags and folks into our Expedition and the Mercedes which happily held all the girls including my Megan and April as well as Angelica, Claudia, Patricia, Maria and myself. The Expedition held Steve, Raphael and David. We dropped them off in departures and April joined Steve to allow him to use the carpool lane which was unnecessary as we had abosulutely no traffic and we ended up speeding home around 80 mph - that was the flow of traffic folks. I was going 75 and getting honked at.
So, then Megan and I headed back to my mother's house where we spent a few more minutes talking and then I headed home completely exhuasted. The next day I took it easy and the following day - Tuesday - I came up getting sick where I ended up having to go to the doctor's on Friday. Turns out I got some awful flu. This folks, brings you all up to date, I will not be posting pictures and other info on the DISboards.
Please check back periodically as I will posting our Washington DC escapades here too. For those that don't know me - during vacation and travel trips - I tend to be very adventurous which is not really me in realy life. My girls think that I am a bit risky but I am just trying to show them that they have to take the bull by the horns in order to get ahead in life - they tend to be rather shy. I hoe that they learn and grow up to be as adventurous as I like to think I am.
Ok folks, my duty is over for now - stay tuned around June 14th for our Girls Only portion of my summer vacation - Megan and Laura's Adventures through Washingont's Metro lines. Anyone want to take bets on how many times we will miss our stops? I have been assured that its very safe and guess what I just found out? Seems that the one hotel I am looking at is actually right across the street from am major shopping mall and galleria - one of the bigger ones in the Nation or so it claims. Leave it to me to find that out first! ROTFLMAO! SHHH!!!! I'm keeping that part secret from Steve. Heck I am even considering packing only my underwear and one or two days clothing and spending a few days totally immersed in finding out what the East Coast has in their shopping mall.
Ok folks - stay tuned and thanks for all our comments. Makes me feel really good that I have contributed to your questions and have been able to allay some of your fears for our EB trip.
Take care and God Bless!
Last Sea Day
OK all - so I've skipped a few days and lots of info. By now, many of you have gotten your information from other sources. Here in a nutshell is my info:
Last sea day Steve and I pack 2 bags - the garment and one unused clothes bag on the last formal night and this would be the 23rd. The next night/day I spent holed up in my little cave burning CD's for some crew members. Steve spent it playing bingo. By now many of you have heard that the final Jackpot Bingo was over $31,000 and was won by one person. Lucky dog - or maybe not - is that taxed?????
So the next day, Saturday - I told Steve that if I was too continue burning CD's I needed to get out of my cave. I then spent the entire afternoon in the Promenade lounge. I kept seeing Bubba and wife - V - and other WB Dissers having fun while I was sitting there not having a lot of fun. But at least we got packed. At dinner on Saturday night - we put out our bags and dressed in our clothese that we would wear off the ship on Sunday.
We went to see the "skit" in Rocking Bar D which was really standing room only. Good thing that I had Steve save me a spot at 10:15 even though it didn't start until 10:45. As for me? I went out delivering photos to crew members.
The next morning at breakfast, we saw Alen who stopped by our table to say bye. He was leaving in two more weeks for his vacation and won't be back until August 10th. The same for Hemant, he will leave at the same time and return on August 10th. Julie - he has your info and will work on it when he gets back. I told him not to forget or you'll bash him over the head! He laughed of course. Folks, if your lucky enough to have this man as your head server - he is marvelous - I can't understand how he does it - he must be made of steel.
BTW, the picture above is of DCL's thank you for sailing gift - didn't want to give too much away but its really very nice. I wish that was able to get two but at least I ended up getting another litho. Seems some very nice family couldn't figure out how to get there's home and offered it to me on a chance comment about how we were getting ours home. LOL - I made away with a 2nd one. Lucky dog - sometimes I can't believe my luck! And I didn't even have to pay $8000 for it. LOL
As for disembarkation? It was a nightmare. We were at Parrot Cay and reported at 8:30 am. We ended up being called to disembark at about 9:30. We diesembark on deck 4 and it winds you 1/2 way up deck 4 and back then out across the gangway to the port terminal. I think it took about 1 hr to get through it. We sailed through customs w/o any problems but as luck would have it - our tablemates - who were behind us got asked some questions and were a bit detained. They never got moved out of line but they definitely asked Raphel some questions. Don't know if its because he's originally from Cuba but they sailed through. I'm hoping that by the time we disembark on our July cruise that they will have this a bit faster. If I recall right - this was a nightmare on the 2005 WB also. But that's alrights folks, I didn't really want to the ship anyway.
Anyway, we go down the escalator to pick up our bags and I snag a very nice porter who was very nice and very informative. Our tablemates had decided to take up my offer of coming to my mother's house (with her permission of course) to spend the day. So after all of us had gotten together - we headed out of the terminal with our two porters and headed for the Primetime Shuttle where we ended up getting one for $76 to deliver us to Norwalk.
OK - that is it for now as I don't want to get too far into this.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Sierra Madre Hike
That's me folks in the blue shorts, beige tank top and white hat. Steve is only 2 people behind me. Not the one in the lower left hand the one with the funky right hand position. I slipped - LOL
Cabo San Lucas May 22, 2008
Cabo San Lucas
Ok – so I skipped a day. That was a sea day and nothing much happened other than some bickering, tiredness and altogether too much togetherness. I am a free spirit who is constantly on the prowl for a new adventure. I am saddled with an anchor and while that is good, sometimes too much togetherness does not a good thing make! LOL
I am seriously considering letting my 21 yr old DD come with us in August. She is such a daredevil when it comes to trying something new she’ll try anything once. Then again she does then to cling? HHMM?? To bring or not to bring? That is the question.
Anyway, we get to Cabo and I wake up at 8 am to get ready for our 9:30 sea kayaking adventure. All excited as the last time I wanted to do this, the water was too rough. Well, about 8:15 Brent comes on the intercom – the 3rd party operator has cancelled YET AGAIN all water activities. Too dangerous. OK so Cabo does not like me. At least time it let us dock/tender.
We take our time getting off and head off to our tender when it opens to the public at 10:30. We get on the pier and immediately head off to Diamonds International. My type of candy store!! LOL we see something but it really is too big for my finger – as my body may be big – I’m stuck with some small fingers. I was a size 4 ½ in high school and 20-something years later – I am just under a size 6. So, I wonder? If I lose the weight – will my fingers lose the weight too?
So we go wandering in search of trinkets and baubles only to be blindsided with all kinds of wrestling masks which seems to be all the rage. This, of course brings to mind that I really shafted my nephew on the Med cruise by only bringing him rocks so I make up for it this time – Vicki Jo – don’t tell him! I only hope no one else gets upset – Steve was being a Charlie Brown and harassing me for buying stuff. You would have thought I bought all kinds of things along the way. Seriously, I had no intentions of buying anything as the only port that I hadn’t gone to was Aruba. And, I learned my lesson, only magnets and postcards so he got off easy there. Well, to make a very long day short, we walked, had lunch and while at lunch shut my phone off. Why do I mention this? You will see in a moment.
Later in the day we finally walk into Milano Jewelry stores and I find a little trinket, much to my surprise, Steve tries to talk me into this Tanzanite pendant. Very pretty but I didn’t want to spend that much. Then it hits me when he says, he’d rather buy it now than in July when the girls come. Hm……is DH being a scrooge? Anyway, I resist and only get one SMALL tanzanite pendant and chain. Why? Because in Puerto Vallerta I got my Firefly fire opal – now that one folks is very nice – and an ammolite pendant which I now have to find a chain for. Oh the stuff I have to do just to please Steve! Tough job but someon has to do it.
So we proceed to get along with the charade and Steve picks a fight – come to find out later he just didn’t want me to be there while he bought it. If he’d of asked med – I would have stepped out and continued my shopping. Doesn’t he know that jewelry shopping takes away from my regular shopping? So we leave mad and without candy, only to have Steve go back and buy the pendant. So we decide to have dinner as I wasn’t really satisfied with lunch which consisted of Nachos with beans and cheese and 4 tacos – one Carne Asada, 2 chicken and 1 Nopales – which is cactus for you non-Spanish speaking people which totally grossed Steve out. I should have made him try it. Darn it! Anyway, by this time I’m good and mad as Steve is playing Scrooge to the tilt. So he decided to head back to the ship and drop off my packages which are making Steve feel like a pack mule (he wasn’t really all that packed down either). We book it to the ship on the way passing “Carlton” who was with a very nice looking young lady. Not sure if its his wife or companion. But anyway, we get on ship and Steve hurries me off again. I almost stayed there when I realized that the ships clock said it was 7. Last tender for the ship is at 8 pm. I tell Steve – forget it – I’m tired I can get my beans and chili at home. He gets this horror look on his face which immediately tells me – he bought the necklace. I tell him – you bought it didn’t you?
So now we have to book it off the ship. Which we do – we are stopped at the aft gangway as a tender boat is unloading. So waiting for a few minutes for them to pass, there is this drunk as a skunk gringo which comes barreling down and tries to board. I think – uh oh! Well, we finally get to load at 7:02. We get to the pier at 7:12 but then the tender boat pilot has trouble docking the boat and on his 5th attempt – we finally bang onto the pier. Steve and I hoof it off and I hear the drunk man asking the pilot if he can pilot the boat and he’ll give him his little treasure chest of beer. I don’t know what he was thinking but I booked it off there. I approach Jim , explain our situation and tells us to talk to the Magic Coordinator – forget his name – anyway, he tells us – “Folks, You know the last tender to the ship is at 8 and WE WILL LEAVE YOU. I say – yeah ok – just letting you know. We then go running to catch a taxi to the side of pier, we hope into the first one we come too which is about 3 minutes from the pier – whew – I am out of shape! So we jump in – don’t even ask the price but I explain the situation and that we have to get to the store – there was a minor modification which had to be done in order to get the pendant on the chain. The guy books it- imagine this big old van careening through traffic – only to stop off long enough to let Steve get out – almost slamming his door into a pole and then we have to go about ½ mile to make a u-turn. When we get back, Steve is waiting for us. We make it back to the pick-up point and the taxi driver says – ok – so I throw him a US twenty dollar and a Mexican $20 bill and ask him if that’s enough – of course he says yes – he got about an $11 dollar tip – but it was worth it.
We go running onto the pier and I hear the crew guys asking – so did you make it – I hold up my Milano Bag and he says – Oh – it’s a recommended store – if you’d of missed it – we could have picked it up for you on Tuesday and mailed it home to you – OK folks – imagine the DUH! DIS board icon inserted in here. So I say that’s ok – what life without a little bit of excitement. So do you all want to know what time it was when we stepped back on the tender boat? Keep in mind that we stepped off at 7:14 – it was 7:32 when we were seated back on the tender! We made it in all that time. For those of you that have been in Cabo – the Milano store is where Burger King was – walking distance is about 10-15 minutes. We would not have made it!
As for the time? When I shut my phone off at lunch and switched it back on a minute later – it updated with the PST zone time. I noticed that we “hadn’t spent much time at the taco stand.” Duh – now I know why – we were none hour behind. Had we really gone to have dinner and the to the ship – we would have really been waving good-by to the ship from the pier! So – for all those that hear the saying – everything happens for a reason? Yes it does! I took it as a warning and next time I will be wearing a manual watch. That was just a bit too close for comfort. I was having nightmare scenarios of us waving Goodbye to the ship.
The funny thing – when we talked to our tablemates at dinner – they had a similar experience – they had an excursion of the scenic tour of the bay at 11. They got to go by the Los Arcos and got some wonderful pictures of it. Turns out they mis-read the meeting place – they thought Rocking Bar D when I reality it was on the pier. So they were to meet at 11:30 on the pier. At 11:02 they were stopped by a full tender boat. Had to wait for the next one – get to the pier at 11:28 and come running up to the excursion meeting place where they are asked – are you the party of 6? Yes – ok – we are all here now.
So that folks, was another exciting yet typical experience in the roaming adventures of Steve and Laura – this one not of my doing – when are you men going to learn you can’t surprise us woman? LOL
OK going to shut off now as DH wants to attend the jackpot bingo of $25,000. Yes folks, it is up to that amount and HAS to go this session. But beware – the cards are all electronic – they do have paper ones but they go too fast and a professional to do those. But the price to join? $69 for 48 cards. The other option is $49 for 24 and $29 for 6 and $19 for 3 cards. Yup – I’m going to pass. My vice is not bingo – too slow for me – so I shop. That’s what Steve thinks but don’t hold me to that – I do however recall seeing the charge of $69 on our bill at least 3 times.
So folks, I have got to go and pack the rest of our stuff. Talk to you all later. We will be blowing in tomorrow morning – as today is Saturday and Steve just confirmed – we are drifting off the coast of either Mexico or CA. Wonder what excuse they’ll come up at dinner.
OK folks, let you know later if Steve is a big winner. Bye!
Ok – so I skipped a day. That was a sea day and nothing much happened other than some bickering, tiredness and altogether too much togetherness. I am a free spirit who is constantly on the prowl for a new adventure. I am saddled with an anchor and while that is good, sometimes too much togetherness does not a good thing make! LOL
I am seriously considering letting my 21 yr old DD come with us in August. She is such a daredevil when it comes to trying something new she’ll try anything once. Then again she does then to cling? HHMM?? To bring or not to bring? That is the question.
Anyway, we get to Cabo and I wake up at 8 am to get ready for our 9:30 sea kayaking adventure. All excited as the last time I wanted to do this, the water was too rough. Well, about 8:15 Brent comes on the intercom – the 3rd party operator has cancelled YET AGAIN all water activities. Too dangerous. OK so Cabo does not like me. At least time it let us dock/tender.
We take our time getting off and head off to our tender when it opens to the public at 10:30. We get on the pier and immediately head off to Diamonds International. My type of candy store!! LOL we see something but it really is too big for my finger – as my body may be big – I’m stuck with some small fingers. I was a size 4 ½ in high school and 20-something years later – I am just under a size 6. So, I wonder? If I lose the weight – will my fingers lose the weight too?
So we go wandering in search of trinkets and baubles only to be blindsided with all kinds of wrestling masks which seems to be all the rage. This, of course brings to mind that I really shafted my nephew on the Med cruise by only bringing him rocks so I make up for it this time – Vicki Jo – don’t tell him! I only hope no one else gets upset – Steve was being a Charlie Brown and harassing me for buying stuff. You would have thought I bought all kinds of things along the way. Seriously, I had no intentions of buying anything as the only port that I hadn’t gone to was Aruba. And, I learned my lesson, only magnets and postcards so he got off easy there. Well, to make a very long day short, we walked, had lunch and while at lunch shut my phone off. Why do I mention this? You will see in a moment.
Later in the day we finally walk into Milano Jewelry stores and I find a little trinket, much to my surprise, Steve tries to talk me into this Tanzanite pendant. Very pretty but I didn’t want to spend that much. Then it hits me when he says, he’d rather buy it now than in July when the girls come. Hm……is DH being a scrooge? Anyway, I resist and only get one SMALL tanzanite pendant and chain. Why? Because in Puerto Vallerta I got my Firefly fire opal – now that one folks is very nice – and an ammolite pendant which I now have to find a chain for. Oh the stuff I have to do just to please Steve! Tough job but someon has to do it.
So we proceed to get along with the charade and Steve picks a fight – come to find out later he just didn’t want me to be there while he bought it. If he’d of asked med – I would have stepped out and continued my shopping. Doesn’t he know that jewelry shopping takes away from my regular shopping? So we leave mad and without candy, only to have Steve go back and buy the pendant. So we decide to have dinner as I wasn’t really satisfied with lunch which consisted of Nachos with beans and cheese and 4 tacos – one Carne Asada, 2 chicken and 1 Nopales – which is cactus for you non-Spanish speaking people which totally grossed Steve out. I should have made him try it. Darn it! Anyway, by this time I’m good and mad as Steve is playing Scrooge to the tilt. So he decided to head back to the ship and drop off my packages which are making Steve feel like a pack mule (he wasn’t really all that packed down either). We book it to the ship on the way passing “Carlton” who was with a very nice looking young lady. Not sure if its his wife or companion. But anyway, we get on ship and Steve hurries me off again. I almost stayed there when I realized that the ships clock said it was 7. Last tender for the ship is at 8 pm. I tell Steve – forget it – I’m tired I can get my beans and chili at home. He gets this horror look on his face which immediately tells me – he bought the necklace. I tell him – you bought it didn’t you?
So now we have to book it off the ship. Which we do – we are stopped at the aft gangway as a tender boat is unloading. So waiting for a few minutes for them to pass, there is this drunk as a skunk gringo which comes barreling down and tries to board. I think – uh oh! Well, we finally get to load at 7:02. We get to the pier at 7:12 but then the tender boat pilot has trouble docking the boat and on his 5th attempt – we finally bang onto the pier. Steve and I hoof it off and I hear the drunk man asking the pilot if he can pilot the boat and he’ll give him his little treasure chest of beer. I don’t know what he was thinking but I booked it off there. I approach Jim , explain our situation and tells us to talk to the Magic Coordinator – forget his name – anyway, he tells us – “Folks, You know the last tender to the ship is at 8 and WE WILL LEAVE YOU. I say – yeah ok – just letting you know. We then go running to catch a taxi to the side of pier, we hope into the first one we come too which is about 3 minutes from the pier – whew – I am out of shape! So we jump in – don’t even ask the price but I explain the situation and that we have to get to the store – there was a minor modification which had to be done in order to get the pendant on the chain. The guy books it- imagine this big old van careening through traffic – only to stop off long enough to let Steve get out – almost slamming his door into a pole and then we have to go about ½ mile to make a u-turn. When we get back, Steve is waiting for us. We make it back to the pick-up point and the taxi driver says – ok – so I throw him a US twenty dollar and a Mexican $20 bill and ask him if that’s enough – of course he says yes – he got about an $11 dollar tip – but it was worth it.
We go running onto the pier and I hear the crew guys asking – so did you make it – I hold up my Milano Bag and he says – Oh – it’s a recommended store – if you’d of missed it – we could have picked it up for you on Tuesday and mailed it home to you – OK folks – imagine the DUH! DIS board icon inserted in here. So I say that’s ok – what life without a little bit of excitement. So do you all want to know what time it was when we stepped back on the tender boat? Keep in mind that we stepped off at 7:14 – it was 7:32 when we were seated back on the tender! We made it in all that time. For those of you that have been in Cabo – the Milano store is where Burger King was – walking distance is about 10-15 minutes. We would not have made it!
As for the time? When I shut my phone off at lunch and switched it back on a minute later – it updated with the PST zone time. I noticed that we “hadn’t spent much time at the taco stand.” Duh – now I know why – we were none hour behind. Had we really gone to have dinner and the to the ship – we would have really been waving good-by to the ship from the pier! So – for all those that hear the saying – everything happens for a reason? Yes it does! I took it as a warning and next time I will be wearing a manual watch. That was just a bit too close for comfort. I was having nightmare scenarios of us waving Goodbye to the ship.
The funny thing – when we talked to our tablemates at dinner – they had a similar experience – they had an excursion of the scenic tour of the bay at 11. They got to go by the Los Arcos and got some wonderful pictures of it. Turns out they mis-read the meeting place – they thought Rocking Bar D when I reality it was on the pier. So they were to meet at 11:30 on the pier. At 11:02 they were stopped by a full tender boat. Had to wait for the next one – get to the pier at 11:28 and come running up to the excursion meeting place where they are asked – are you the party of 6? Yes – ok – we are all here now.
So that folks, was another exciting yet typical experience in the roaming adventures of Steve and Laura – this one not of my doing – when are you men going to learn you can’t surprise us woman? LOL
OK going to shut off now as DH wants to attend the jackpot bingo of $25,000. Yes folks, it is up to that amount and HAS to go this session. But beware – the cards are all electronic – they do have paper ones but they go too fast and a professional to do those. But the price to join? $69 for 48 cards. The other option is $49 for 24 and $29 for 6 and $19 for 3 cards. Yup – I’m going to pass. My vice is not bingo – too slow for me – so I shop. That’s what Steve thinks but don’t hold me to that – I do however recall seeing the charge of $69 on our bill at least 3 times.
So folks, I have got to go and pack the rest of our stuff. Talk to you all later. We will be blowing in tomorrow morning – as today is Saturday and Steve just confirmed – we are drifting off the coast of either Mexico or CA. Wonder what excuse they’ll come up at dinner.
OK folks, let you know later if Steve is a big winner. Bye!
Dam! Go figure - now I can add a picture! God sure has a sense of humor doesn't he?
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