October 26, 2007

Yesterday we went back to the Magic Kingdom so Abby could ride on her favorite attraction one more time. With Karl, she went on Splash Mountain, drove the car at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway and The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm roller coaster. With Grandma, she went on Dumbo the flying Elephant. Everyone went on “it’s a small world” and Peter Pan’s Flight. I’m still not sure which one was Abby's favorite. It really doesn’t matter because I know she had a great time doing everything every day.

This morning we took them to the airport for their flight back to Colorado. It has been a terrific week that went by very quickly. We all played hard and saw lots of things in the area. I’m not sure who had the most fun. I know Char and I had a lot of fun this week. One thing for sure, we had lots of exercise and food this week.

Thank you, Jill, Karl and Abby for coming to Florida. We look forward to the next time we can get together.

October 24, 2007

Today’s trip was to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We had fun even though it rained part of the time.






We rode the Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station where Abby brushed the goats in the petting area.


Next Abby and Karl rode the Kali River Rapids twice.

Abby and Grandma on the Tricera Top Spin.

Abby and Karl then went on the Primeval Whirl roller coaster five times. Grandma then joined them for two more times. I think Abby liked this ride.

Abby continued trading pins today. She is going to take her lanyard and pin collection to school to share with teacher and classmates.

October 23, 2007

Sun, sand and fun at the beach was the order of the day. We went to the beach at Clearwater on the West Coast. It was a great day without any of the usual rain we have been having. It was in the mid nineties with a nice wind from the south. Abby had the most fun, she and Karl played in the surf and sand while Jill, Grandma and Grandpa sat on the beach enjoying the day.

October 22, 2007

We went to Epcot today for an annual tradition with Jill, Karl and Abby, lunch at the Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China Pavilion. As always, the food was plentiful and delicious.

Here are some pictures from the rest of the day.


Abby liked the "Living with the Land" boat ride well enough to do it two times. She had lots of questions for Karl about everything she saw.

This is a very large pumpkin hanging above ground.

So this is how they make the Mickey pumpkins.

Here Abby and some other Jr. Chefs are making chocolate chip cookies.

Abby wants everyone to know the cookies were terrific.


Here we are on the Seas with Nemo & Friends ride.

We watched a porpoise during a training session.

Here Grandma and Abby react to the skunk smell at the “Journey Into Imagination with Figment” attraction.

Today Abby learned about pin trading. She started slow until she understood and then didn’t miss a chance to trade pins while we were at Epcot. She has a good eye for spotting cast members so she can trade pins

On the way home, we stopped for ice cream. Tonight was a reverse dinner. We had desert first then went home for pizza.

October 21, 2007

Can you guess where we went today? Here is a hint.

These are jellyfish.

This is a killer whale.

If you guessed Sea World then you are correct.

Abby had a good time feeding the stingrays at Stingray Lagoon.

I think she was a little nervous at first feeding the dolphins at Dolphin Cove.

This is Abby climbing high up in the nets at Shamu’s Happy Harbor.

This is one of the pets adopted from an animal shelter and trained at Sea World for the “Pets Ahoy” show.

It was great to have Richard and Vera join us later in the day. Luckily we were under a roof during the worst of the rain waiting for the “Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island” show.

Karl and Abby rode Journey to Atlantis. Because it was raining, they had on ponchos so this kind of extra water didn’t bother them.

After Sea World, we all went to Sweet Tomatoes for some great food.

October 20, 2007

Today we had a “Magic” day in the Magic Kingdom at World Disney World. It was great to watch Abby enjoying the rides and attractions.

Abby and Karl went twice on the Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm.

Abby driving at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway.

Jill and Grandma waiting at the Speedway.

Abby and Karl on Cinderella’s Golden Carousel.

Abby really liked “it’s a small world”.

Abby is big enough this year for Splash Mountain.

Abby had her face painted as a tiger.

Abby went the third time on the Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm with Grandma.

Abby the tiger is driving the second time at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway.

Abby and Grandma in a teacup.

What is Abby doing?

She is playing ball on Main Street.

At the end of the day, we all were a little tired.

October 6, 2007

We are officially home now and what a welcome we are receiving. It has rained every day and the humidity is extremely high. We have been cleaning the motor home a little each day. Any task outside is somewhat uncomfortable because of the temperature and humidity. Did we forget what it is like in Florida? I think traveling in the North may have spoiled us.

It is great to be able to spend some time with Mike again. We talked to him every few days while we were gone but it is not the same. His is just a few sites away from us. Hopefully we won’t become pests while we are here. A few days prior to us getting here, Mike treated our lot and Richard and Vera’s lot for bugs. Ants are a problem here especially if they get inside the motor home. Thanks Mike.

In just 14 days we have another great week planned. Jill, Karl and Abby are coming here to Florida. Abby has already told Grandma she wants to go to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Sea World and the beach. I’m sure there will be more things she wants to see by the time they get here. We hope this rain stops by then. We will have a fun filled week with lots of adventures to write about.

October 3, 2007

For the last two days we have been looking for doghouses. In the last entry I talked about finding the Ocala painted horses. But yesterday we were informed only about 25 of the 50 horses are still in the area and there is now a new charity project, designer doghouses. So instead of horses we had a fun scavenger hunt looking for doghouses. There are 29 pieces and we found 25of them. The remaining four are either damaged waiting for repairs or in storage and not yet delivered. I am including lots of pictures of the doghouses. You may not want to spend a lot of time looking at them. I hope you will enjoy the creativity and workmanship of these unique structures as much as we did.

DOGWOOD CHAPEL

PRAIRIE DOGHOUSE

BARKFORD HOUSE

CRACKER HOUNDS

PUPPY LOVE FLORIST

FIDOUGH’S BISCUIT BAKERY

ST. PAW’S CATHEDRAL. At this stop, we had the privilege of meeting the designer of this doghouse.

OCALA FIRE DEPUPMUTT

THE MASTER’S CLUB HOUSE

CAT MANDO

IMAGINE A PURR-FECT WORLD

DOG HILL DOWNS

ANIMAL “CRACKER” HOUSE

THE MINI POOCHER

1891 CHAMBLISS HOUSE

OCALA PAWLICE DEPARTMENT

CHURCH BIRD HOUSE-DOG HOUSE

STEPHEN C. O’CANINE CENTER

FORT DOGGONE

PUPS PRIMARY.

This is the inside of the Pups Primary School. This is my favorite of all the dog houses.

SUN POO-CHI INN

TAJ MA-DOG

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF PAWRISON

POMA “MARION” THEATRE

DEERBAR FARM

This was a great ending of our summer trip with Richard and Vera. We’ve had a lot of fun traveling together, visiting different places and people, experiencing different restaurants, staying in various campgrounds and Wal Marts. We will both be staying at Ponderosa this winter so this will not be the end of our shared adventures. Though my entries may not be as frequent, check in often to see what we are doing next.