We got back from the Bahamas on the 24th. On the 29th Frank informed me that he had gotten invited to a special conference in Orlando on February 10th and that I should go.
I was obviously intrigued but my first thought was "I cannot leave again, I was just gone for 9 days!" But Frank pushed me a little and I decided, what the heck, gotta live right?
So I told him I was in and broke the news to Dr. Free that I would be leaving again for *only* 3 work days. He wasn't super happy but he does know how to just accept reality. So I found people to help cover my shifts and I was booked!
Frank had to be there on Sunday but there were no cheap flights so we ended up flying out on Saturday February 8th. We used points to get a hotel room so it didn't even cost us anything to go a day early. The snafu was that I had promised to babysit William on the 8th and when we were booking the trip I completely forgot. Luckily they were able to get Harley's dad to do it but I felt sooo bad!
Day 1- We arrived in the afternoon of the 8th and took a nap of course. Flying across the country is exhausting for some reason.
We decided to go to Universal City Walk for dinner. We didn't realize what a hassle it is parking and how much walking is involved going there but it was fun nonetheless. We walked around and enjoyed the ambiance.
We ended up eating at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. The food was quite good (we got bar seating with no waiting!) and the portions were just right so that we had room for dessert.
We took pictures of the food for my brother's sake. They always like seeing food. Haha!
We got our dessert to go so it wasn't as pretty but we still took a picture. It was very yummy! We were a little chilly actually due to a breeze and evening air...Frank wore shorts and was downright cold while eating the ice cream
It was a lovely night a good start to the trip!
Day 2-Sunday
We decided to drive to St Augustine Florida, about a1.5 hour drive from where we were for a relaxing day of sight seeing. St. Augustin is billed as "the oldest city in the U.S." We did a walking tour which was fun.
The tour told us all kinds of fact and also stories about the various things we passed.
I also stopped for food and ice cream of course!
The final stop on the walking tour was a really cool fort: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. If we'd only had our national parks pass it would have been free! I can't count the number of times we've needed that pass but, no, it's sitting in our car at home.
The fort was very cool! They let you walk around all kind of places.
They. had reenactors there as well.
This was a small area where it is rumored that two people were left to die. The tour made it sound like it was accepted fact but then the signs at the actual fort made it sound like just a story.
Either way, here is Frank reenacting that murder. LOL
It was a tiny little room so I hope no one was locked inside!
The reenactors set off a cannon with like 1/16th the amount of gun powder that would have been used back in the day. It was incredibly loud!
After the tour we drove over to a beach and relaxed on the sand. It was a lovely day out.
We had no towels or blanket or swimsuits so we were ill prepared but still enjoyed some time napping on the beach.
A bunch of military aircraft flew overhead but I only got one picture.
And no pictures of the beach! gah!
Day 3-Monday
Monday is Annavon's day off so she planned to come over and visit me.
We chatted a bunch, went to a local chocolate factory for a tour and samples. Afterwards we tried some of the most amazing hot chocolate ever (I think they called it something else but my memory is subpar)
We went to lunch at a local restaurant and then just went back and sat by the pool at the hotel.
We really enjoyed just seeing each other again and chatting all day!
I've been getting lots of migraines lately and got one that day so relaxing by the pool in the shade was the perfect solution.
I'm so grateful Annavon came all the way to see me!
Day 4-Tuesday
This was my day to go to a local theme park.
I had a hard time deciding since I only wanted to do one but in the end I chose Universal Studios for the Harry Potter World and I did get a park hopper pass because you really do have to attend both sides!
I took my first ever Lyft ride and got there early. I had no agenda but to enjoy myself.
I walked around and just looked at everything.
The iconic castle:
I rode pretty much every ride. I took the single ride line and had very few long waits.
The longest wait was for the Hagrid motorcycle rollercoaster. I ended up in line next to a really nice lady and her son from England. We chatted for the nearly hour long line. It made it really enjoyable!
Hagrid's hut (seen as you wait in line for the Hippogriff ride):
In line for the Hagrid roller coaster
This is kind of the last stairway before reaching the line. Spooky!
Hogsmeade
The train station
Hogwart's Express
Entering Dragon Alley
I ended up going back and forth a few times. It was fun!
Unfortunately I got another migraine in the afternoon and it was pretty bad. I spent time kind of wandering around the parks just sitting in shady areas and trying to feel better.
They don't have any spots to lay down or truly relax but I found a few chairs or benches here or there.
I also rode a few rides that looked calm.
I stood by the water ride for quite awhile and let the mist cool me.
I kept thinking that I should just leave and go sleep at the hotel but I knew that if it got better I would wish I had stayed. Plus the Lyft ride was like $20 bucks each way!
I ate at the Leaky Cauldron which was cool and kind of dark so that was nice.
I did eventually start feeling better, thank heaven!
I walked through the whole castle. There was hardly any line for that ride so I just meandered as I wished. If people came up I just let them go by.
I loved it
Mirror of Erised
Greenhouses
Love all the details!
There are whole scenes that happens in several of the rooms but I guess you only get to see them if the line is slow enough. I made sure to stay to see everything!
The portrait of the Fat Lady
How cool are the candles?!
The is where the ride loads. I rode it once but the second time I just left at this point. No sense upsetting my head.
I crossed back over one last time and just enjoyed walking around for the rest of the time til closing.
I just really enjoyed it
I got a little lost leaving the park and ended up walking all over that park before exiting.
It was actually very nice out and a good end to the day.
I may have been asleep before Frank got home. I honestly don't remember!
Day 5-Wednesday
The event had a big party on the last day and I came as a guest. They rented out a whole section of the city walk (I spent a lot of time at Universal!). We had dinner, entertainment, drinks and desserts.
There were several different venues with different types of entertainment.
We spent some time listening to a band that played reggae music.
They had these two people on really tall stilts who walked around, danced and interacted with the guests.
They were amazingly comfortable on those stilts!
The other fun thing was the karaoke bar.
It was not your usual karaoke bar!
They had a live band, backup singers/dancers and fancy lights.
Frank said it wouldn't be that fun since people tend to sing terribly but honestly I could have spent all night in there!
I had no desire to sing but I loved singing along at my seat and just enjoying the fun atmosphere.
One of Frank's coworkers sang and he was actually really good!
We flew home Thursday morning fairly early.
We went for breakfast and then headed out.
We actually got to the airport pretty early so we found the airport lounge (we have access from our credit card) and we got breakfast and relaxed.
We sent Dion the pics below to show him our good luck getting into a lounge since he loves Airport Lounge Life
Frank RELAXING
It was such a fun trip to me.
Just relaxing and doing whatever I wanted was so amazing!
