A couple of weeks go by, you get busy and wow, there's lots to talk about.
To play "catch up" we have to thank Judy for a couple of photos of the "Palm Tree Bikers" enjoying lunch after there morning ride.
It appears to have been a great day for a bike ride. I heard some of the riders headed east toward the "hills of Clermont." It's always nice to hear we still have more than a few "explorers" in our group.
In other news, Pat and I enjoyed a week long visit with Pat's best friend, Cathy and her Great Nieces, Sarah, Caitlin and Elizabeth (triplets). Cathy and her Nieces stayed on Disney property. They spent the first and last nights at Disney's All Star Resort and the rest of their time at The Swan Resort. Through out the week Pat and I took turns hustling them to and from various locations that made for a whirl wind week. In between our assistance, the ever resourceful Cathy and adventurous triplets, boarded Disney Buses to make sure they enjoyed all they could for their brief stay.
We're going to let the photos tell their story!
First stop, a visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Left to right; Caitlin, Cathy, Elizabeth and Sarah.
Let's check out the "local" residents of the Savanna.
Photo op!
Aha! Just in time to see the giraffe having lunch.
A few comments by the ranger.
But of course, Cathy added her own interpretation!
Next stop, EPCOT.
Hold it! Time out! Princess photo (click)!
Caitlin decided to sit this photo op out.
After a ride on Mission Space we made tracks to Hollywood Studios for lunch.
The parks were pretty crowded so we made the best of short lines!
After lunch at Mama Melrose's I left them to their own pace and headed home.
Pat and Darlene connected with them to take in the Star Wars fireworks in the evening.
Cathy and the girls planned to take advantage of the warmest day of their visit to hit "Blizzard Beach."
Cathy says once they arrived the girls took off and it was closing time before they knew it. The day flew by and they managed to do just about everything at the "Beach!" (Everything Except the "Summit Plummet" that is!
Next, it was a long day at the Magic Kingdom.
Our intrepid group headed for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. They waited less than the predicted hour and half stand-by line.
From my vantage point just after the loading dock, I managed to catch our hearty group as they braved the first turn. that's Sarah with her arms up. Next to her is Elizabeth with her arms up as well. Behind them, in the next car is Cathy (in the blue top) and Caitlin.
Speeding over the first hill you can see Sarah and Elizabeth maintaining their "hands-up, defy the danger" riding attitude! Notice Cathy and Caitlin maintaining their firm grip on the safety bar.
Here's a better look! Actually, it appears that Cathy is right at home with her arms and hands on her lap! That's the spirit!
Next, Splash Mountain!
Aha! A view from the top!
Perhaps, Sarah can give you a better idea of this view from the top!
They survived!
We managed to take in a couple of parades...
Later in the afternoon, Pat and Darlene met up with our group to enjoy the "Haunted Mansion" and "Wishes."
On their final full day, we were happy to surprise the girls with a brief two hour visit to the place Pat and I began our Disney "career" as Cast Members... DisneyQuest!
Cathy and the girls took a relaxing rubber raft ride down the "Virtual Jungle Cruise." From there we boarded a pirate ship in our quest for gold on the "Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold."
Below the Triplets are flying their "magic carpets" to "free the Genie" on "Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride!"
"Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters" proved that the girls can keep up with the guys! Yours truly
and Sarah, Caitlin and Elizabeth teamed up to blast each other out of the galaxy. The girls were on target and handled the "blasters" like pros. Sorry, no photos! I had all I could do to keep from getting "spun out of control" by the youngsters!
We ended our quest with two games of "Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam." The girls did quite well after taking a few "tips" from a past DisneyQuest Cast Member!
We decided to save the best for last. Four rides on "Cyber Space Mountain."
Each of the girls designed their own roller coaster rides and were treated to quite a surprise as they entered the roller coaster simulators for something totally unexpected... as you'll see by their faces....
(All of the pictures were taken from the TV screen we use to monitor the guests while on the ride.)
Elizabeth to Sarah, "this is going to be boring!"
Ah, wait a minute!
What was that?
Yep, we even talked "Aunt" Cathy into stepping into the simulator.
...for a mild ride that is!
In the mean time, the daring Sarah and Elizabeth went all out and added more loops!
Come on, we can take it!
Caitlin preferred a milder ride and Elizabeth went along for the ride.
Dramatic huh?
Is Elizabeth yawning or going to get sick?
Which pose is the real reaction to what is happening in the simulator?
Watching all the girls as they went through each ride was worth every second!
We ended our quest with a photo of "Wreck-It Ralph!"
Just for the fun of it, check out the photo of Elizabeth, Caitlin and Sarah the first time they visited DisneyQuest, back in March, 2013. (It was only a visit. This time they played!)
Look at them... so quiet and reserved! (Take another look at their photo above!)
It was a precious week for Pat and me. We both managed to squeeze in time with Cathy and the girls and enjoy a great deal of fun with them.
All too soon it was time to head home. The fun-filled week will be a wonderful memory for all of us.
But the girls pulled a surprise on Pat and me. Cathy made good use of their time. A few hours before heading to the airport, they boarded a bus to Disney Springs and the girls gave us something to remember.
Pat and I received a special treat of Ghirardelli chocolate and a "Mickey" key ring for me.
Additionally, each girl hand crafted their own very special card to thank Pat and me for a great week.
We feel bad to say that Sarah also made a card for us but the wind took it out of her hand and at last glance her card was headed toward "Blizzard Beach!" There's no need to feel bad Sarah, Pat and I have all the great memories of each of you enjoying a fun filled week with us.
Thank you to Sarah, Caitlin and Elizabeth for being so good, well mannered and willing to put up with us adults for the entire week!
Adding to this busy week, Alice flew in to spend a few days with Jack. To make sure we connected with them, Jack wanted the four of us to enjoy a lunch together. Alice is still among the working folks. So when she gets a chance to visit, time has a nasty way of zipping by.
Oops! Did I surprise you?
I should explain. Jack is settling up using this table top electronic gizmo while Alice is telling him how to use it!
Ah, the fun of writing the blog. What you can get away with!
