On the Road with Dave and Pat: EPCOT and a Bike Ride

Off we go.... but first, Lilly and I headed out to Best Friends Pet Care. I think Lilly's got something going there. The first girl to register us says she remembers Lilly, so I tell her that's great, Lilly loves to be pampered and handled (with a smile). So, she offered to "pay attention" to her as she passes by her kennel.

Once Lilly was cared for, its off to EPOCT! Getting in the parks with our friends is always a treat.
I'll let you figure out who's who. In the photo are Pat, Angela, Bill, Buz, Darlene and Martie. Bill is there, but you really have to search for him!

We needed lunch so we checked out Italy... naw... how 'bout Germany? Excellent choice. But first we had to pass by the latest center of attraction, Elsa and Ana...

We walk slowly and drink in all the colorful flowers.

Angela and Darlene enjoy taking the time to "smell the roses" so to speak. I can't tell who the person is seated next to Angela. Hmmmmm, good question!

Darlene was on a mission none of us knew about. You may remember, Darlene checked out a great looking red hat on our last visit to the Magic Kingdom. She lit up when she saw "Mouse Gear" so we had to check to see if they had the same hat.

See how Darlene "gets by with a little help from her friends!" Here, pick mine, hey pick mine, how about mine, what about mine!

Angela said, "never mind, I'll take my own!"

Once on our way, (oh, Darlene did eventually buy her red hat!) Bill thought he found the perfect hat for Darlene...

The Mexican Mariachi Band. (I'm kinda partial to the trumpeter. I used to play the trumpet. Everyone was right, I should have kept up with my music lessons!)

We watched the Globe Captain gently glide the platform into his staging area.

It was great to watch him nudge this against the dock.

Hey! Lets eat!

We waited just a few minutes and were escorted into the Biergarten.

The awesome German band was performing a set and it was LOUD!

We expected it to be loud we just weren't prepared to have to talk over their performance with the waitress. That made it all the more fun!

Once again I felt a tug of the ole heart strings when I heard them playing the Swiss horns....

This ensemble was extremely talented. We enjoyed the food, music and yes even the loudness of our lunch.

We all ate too much but it was worth it.

Moving on, we were drawn toward the sound of drumming... the Japanese Taiko Drummers.

What a pleasant surprise, they were all women for a change. And, they were good.

We finally got to see "Captain EO."

Even though the show is aging, it was a enjoyable to see.

Of course we closed the night with "Illuminations, Reflections of Earth."

We enjoy it every time we see it.

Oh, and you bet Lilly was pulling at the leash when she was brought out to us at the end of the evening.

I guess I can rest now that the evening is over!

We're not done yet! We have a bike ride to talk about.

Biking around the Wilderness.

We start out from the parking lot and make our plans. Where do you want to eat? I don't know where do you want to eat? Who do you want to ride with? I don't know who do you want to ride with?

Who's in the fast group? I don't know. Who's in the slow group? I don't know!

Jim say's I'm heading out! Now, decisions have to be made. Then, Pete move's to the front and you know what.... everybody followed one or the other of them!

Our group, the other, slower, picture takers, people talkers group had a pit stop at the Wilderness Lodge. Actually, I think it was all the water we drank before heading out!

Then comes the obligatory boat ride. "Please remain seated with hands, arms and legs inside the boat at all times!"

Judy started another "did you see it" moment. She reports that this deer just stood there for her to take a photo of it. Once again I don't think anyone confirmed the sighting.

Judy didn't see all of what she was actually taking a photo of. For all you "unbelievers," I took the liberty of removing all their "camouflage" so you can see what she really took a photo of.....