FL CA AZ NV UT NM CO. Conclusions on completion of Vacation.

[cornishfrogboy]

Holbrook to Tombstone via Winslow to stand on a corner. 12 June 2024. It can only be ‘Take it Easy’ by the Eagles.
369 miles.

We were up early, across the road to Safeway for an Apple Fruitata and we were on the move.. after a few more photos.

The Route 66 beckoned, wide and straight (initially).

Winslow was the destination .. pure route 66 nostalgia.. and now a boring tale… but well worth a read… mainly because the writer, Jackson Browne later confided that the incident he wrote about never actually occurred in Winslow, rather Flagstaff.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_It_Easy

However, I really don’t think that the population of Winslow AZ really care that much, as they have been making money from it ever since.

Matt meets Jackson.. who he has never heard of.

Glenn Frey watches on.

Every store within 50yds of that crossroads was dedicated to selling ‘Eagles’ memorabilia whilst playing ‘Eagles’ songs.. but the only item that truly impressed me was not for sale.

Then it was back to Holbrook before heading South.. for an another favourite place of mine… Tombstone!

We had one real stop.. at Salt River Canyon, on Apache Land, rather pretty!

By the time that we pulled into the Tombstone Grand, it was 1730 and I was shattered after having driven 369 miles.

The place was more than adequate and just a 1 mile walk into Tombstone Main Street, either on a track through the Bondu or by Road, past the famous Boot Hill Cemetery. We had a king room and a twin with queen sized double beds.

1800 and we were off to town, across the Bondu on a rough track and straight to Big Nosed Kate’s Bar… which was closed!
It had to be the Longhorn instead, (nothing to do with the Darden’s ones in Florida. Dan went for a Mexican ‘trip’.
We all 3 ordered various Burgers including to no persons surprise, Matt.

The Burgers and diet Cokes, plus Dan’s entirely appropriate ‘Red Necked Margarita’ arrived and were polished off in no time at all.

$86.. not bad at all.. plus a 20 as a tip. We were gone!

In the Main St, we had a discussion. Mandie and Matt were keen to get back to the Hotel, whilst Dan and I fancied a Beer in a Saloon.

Scene of the ‘Discussion’.

Mandie told me to look after Dan and not be too long…

The Crystal Palace looke friendly, warm and beckoning in a restrained fashion..

We were in and talking to the friendly, demure and restrained Barmaid in less than no time at all. She was rather shy at first.. but eventually, she agreed to a few pictures.

We were on a roll!
Next it was the swings..

Then the OK Coral… which unfortunately.. or fortunately, was very secure.

It was time to return to the Hotel, but on our way back, we passed Boot Hill.. which was equally secure. Some atmospheric, night time shots of the Clanton and McLaury graves would have been well atmospheric!

In no time at all, we were back in the Hotel.

I am rather looking forward to tomorrow!

369 Miles driven.
7796 Steps taken.

[cornishfrogboy]

Gunfight at the OK Coral and onwards to Tucson. 13 June 2024.. or ‘Blazing Saddles’ by Frankie Laine.

I love the Gunfight at the OK Coral reenactment, having visited and seen it in 2022. It was awesome to bring Dan and Matt along with me for a second show.

The first performance was to be at 1100 and with Tickets available from 0900. We wanted to get in, see the show and get out… Yet another early start 😟.

We were duly parked up at 0835 by the Courthouse (There was no interest in the excellent Museum that is within, from any person other than myself.. so we didn’t). We found the ‘mean streets’ were clear(ish) at this ridiculous hour.

With no hint of the rather predictable mayhem that was yet to come.. (every day in this Town).

Tickets were purchased at 0900 on the dot from the OK Coral. and then we waited. It was an unfortunate fact that the good Citizens of Tombstone had clearly partaken in an even heavier night than Dan and I, as nothing seemed to open before 1000. Still, they eventually started appearing.. all in period Costume.

‘Dreckly’, a StageCoach rolled into town. A highlight, thus far.

Shortly afterwards and to kill time (a lot of killing has historically occurred here), we went to the far end of the Main Street (Allen Street and 6th), to visit the Bird Cage Theatre. This is/was a legendary Theatre about which a great deal has been written. The Bird Cage opened in December of 1881 and closed in 1894, when flooding halted all mining, thus destroying the Town’s prosperity. It is worth remembering that the Gun Fight at the OK Coral took place on October 26 1981.. before the completion of the Theatre. Having said that, The Earps and Doc Holiday were regular visitors once it opened.
The Bird Cage was described as the most debauched Theatre in the USA until its closure in 1894 and had 12 Bordello Rooms upstairs, a Theatre on the ground floor and a gambling den in the basement. This Theatre is also the only original and completely intact building on the whole of the Allen Street, Tombstone having been gutted by fire in both 1881 and 1882.

We entered the front room of the Bird Cage and this was the bar.

To see the remainder, which by all accounts is a time capsule, would have been a further $16.50pp. Much to our regret, we simply did not have time.
A couple of facts.
1. This place was lawless and there are around 140 bullet holes in the plaster.
2. It is estimated that around 26 People have died within its walls through shootings, other murders and suicides.
3. The basement played host to the longest Poker game in History, that ran continuously for 8 years and 5 months and with a minimum ‘buy in’ of $1000. Notable “hands” include Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Diamond Jim Brady, George Hearst, and Adolphus Busch of Busch Brewery.
It is estimated that $10 million changed hands, with the Theatre retaining 10%.

We were out, back down Allen St and in Big Nosed Kates Saloon for 1000, ordering 4x bottomless Diet Pepsi’s at $10 total. A bargain!
This place also has a History. Up until the fire of 1882, it was the Grand Hotel, where the Clantons and McLaury’s spent their last night drinking, before the Gunfight. The place was a regular haunt of all involved in the gunfight.. on both sides.
The bar top, once in the basement, is now in the bar where you get served. This, the floor joists and also the outer masonry are what survived the fire.

The famous Bar Top.
In the basement of Big Nosed Kates (who rather than being a Bar owner, was actually a Prostitute and long time Common Law Wife of Doc Holiday, living until 1940) is a gift shop… and this rather curious basement room….

The sign is self explanatory..

As is this one on Allen Street.

It was nearly 1100 and so we moved across the road to the OK Coral, where a Reenactment of the famous Gunfight was to take place. In the back yard of the Coral and close to the Theatre where the Reenactment was to take place, is the actual spot where it all happened. On the spot are Mannequins positioned in the exact locations at Gunfight commencement, as in a plan, later drawn up by Wyatt Earp.

And so to the outdoor theatre (with a Tarpaulin Stretched over the Seating Stand). $40 had been invested and we confidently expected Ham over acting, Fun, Audience Participation, Gunshots and of course, the right ending. We were not disappointed!

The job was done. Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury were dead ..( for the first of 3 times today). Billy Claybourne and Ike Clanton had fled (for the first of 3 times today).
Of course there was wild applause all round, Doc then detailed the ultimate fates of all participants in the Gunfight and we were invited to contribute generously towards the future training of the cast, by the Guild of Actors.. as they clearly needed it.
What happened to Billy Claiborne and Ike Clanton? Both shot dead in separate incidents, Billy in 1882.and Ike in 1887. Claiborne now resides in Tombstones ‘Boot Hill Cemetery and Ike is believed to have been found in an unmarked, shallow grave at Eagle Creek in 1996. One would never make money as a life insurance salesman in the area around this time!

The Gunfighters all then posed with the Audience for photographs.. before they once more entered Allen St in order to drum up support for their next shooting at 1300.

Dan meantime checked the bar for any leftovers.

As we left Tombstone, we paused briefly to visit ‘Boot Hill’, home of Billy Clanton and the McLaury’s since October 26 1881.. (or a few days after, following their presentation in the Window of the appointed Undertaker). This visit was $6pp for us, instead of presumably being free for them..

There were several other notable graves including these..

This poor individual unknowingly purchased a stolen Horse. He was hanged for Horse thieving.. wrongly.

This is the grave of Marshall Fred White. He was shot in 1880 outside of where the Bird Cage Theatre was to be built a year or so later. The act was committed by Curly Bill Brocius, another Cowboy, associated with the Earp/ Holiday matters that occurred in this period of time. Curly Bill was acquitted.

No matter, he was to die a violent death in 1882.. due to Lead Poisoning at the hands (or gun) of Wyatt Earp.

Finally we left.. for Tucson, where we were to book into a favourite brand of Mandie’s and despite my protestations on the grounds of cost. A two bedroom suite in the Staybridge Suites. I apologise that I took these images several hours after our arrival 😀.

And then it was time to eat.. but where? Those who have read previous posts may be aware that despite 15 visits to the USA, I have never yet eaten in an Applebees.. but this was to be my day!
There are several in Tucson and I picked the one with a Scenic route, albeit not the most direct.

We inadvertently (my words), had to drive right past Davis Monthan AMARC boneyard, currently home to 4300 stored Aircraft.

Applebees was as I had hoped it would be on Happy Hour.
Beer was $2 a pint (Dan had a couple). We shared a Combo Starter and for main, Dan had a Quesadilla Burger, Matt a Whisky Burger, Mandie a Chicken Bowl and myself, Tangy Lime Chicken. $96 (plus a 20 tip)? An absolute bargain.

Now, we are settled in and awaiting tomorrow.. a very big day for.. Me!

85 Miles driven
6283 Steps walked.

[cornishfrogboy]

Pima Air and Space Museum. 14 June 2024.. or (Highway to) the Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins.

A huge day for me.. and a little History 😉. I visited the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson in April of 2022, but crucially, I forgot to buy the Guide Book. A major purpose of this vacation is to right this wrong and finally purchase said Book.

Well, today is that day! Mandie decided to relax in the Hotel and do some of her scrap book, paint her nails or something whilst Dan, Matt and I were parked up outside the Museum Gates at 0800 sharp.. only it opened at 0900.. thanks for the research, Dan 😆.

Soon enough we were through the doors and admiring the very first Aircraft as you enter the very first Hangar.. Westland Lynx XZ185! This is (imho) the single most important Aircraft in the whole collection of around 400.

This wonderful, historically important Airframe has the distinction of being the only one that I ever ‘Crew Chiefed’ a Major Overhaul on, in Detmold West Germany around 1987. I would imagine that this is the reason that it occupies the no1 spot in the Hangar.. ahead of Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Red Arrows aircraft and even the fantastic SR71 Blackbird.
Needless to say, Dan and Matt were deeply impressed by this clear, recognition of my former, engineering prowess (and modesty)!

It is sometimes rather a shame in a Museum, to see the most important exhibit first, but I attach just a few images that were taken as we walked around what is possibly the largest Aviation Museum in the whole World.

An F117 Stealth Fighter being prepared to join the collection. The paint (and other items) on this highly classified Aircraft must be removed and replaced, before it can go on show. This one is stripped and awaiting respray.

An F14a Tomcat (without Tom Cruise).

A very, very rare F107 .. next to a seemingly common Blackbird..

An Avro Shackleton AEW.. that my Father (R.I.P) actually flew in whilst it was an MR2.

‘Balls three’ one of only two B52a models remaining, both used as Launch Aircraft for the X15 research Aircaft. The other is ‘Balls 8’ at the Main Gate at Edwards AFB, where some may remember that Mandie feared we would get shot, back in 2022 when I wanted to photograph it 😃.

A B50 Tanker.

A Convair B36 Bomber with 10, yes 10 Engines!

After 3 hours, the boys had had enough and although very polite, were making subtle hints such as “Dad, we really have had enough plane spotting”. I can take such a subtle hint and it was time to go… via the Museum Shop, where I finally purchased this epic ‘tome’.

A very comprehensive guide, with just one teeny, weeny omission. There is no mention of my involvement in the life of Lynx XZ185. Perhaps there will be a new edition with an appropriate revision!

It was then back to pick up Mandie before heading off on a 2 hour journey to the Springhill Suites in Tempe, Phoenix. This location is just 10 minutes from the Airport and will suit our purposes admirably!

Two twin beds and a Sofa.

By now, we were hungry and so, we crossed the road to a Mall, where we found a rather delicious ‘Mexican’ Restaurant called ‘Garcia’s.
Better still, it was happy hour and Beer was $2 a pint.
Now we know very little about Mexican Food, so we played it safe.
Dan had a combo selection and 3 pints of ‘Bud’
Matt had a Combo selection with Dr Pepper.
Mandie had a combo selection with 2 x Rum Cocktails.
I had a combo selection with 3 pints of ‘bud’.

It was quite frankly, a struggle.

A Quick Look around the huge Mall and time to admire some Lego..

And then it was back to our room to prepare for tomorrow’s flight.

130 miles driven.
17677 steps walked.


Goodnight!

[cornishfrogboy]

Flight from Phoenix to Tampa, pick up car and drive to Hampton at Busch. 15 June 2024.

Our flight to Tampa was due to lift at 0901 and therefore we were out of the Hotel by 0600, missing the complimentary breakfast.

It should have been a simple drive to Sky Harbour Int along the i10… only it wasn’t. Very large scale roadworks were taking place with diversions. This threw everything into chaos, placing us amongst extremely heavy traffic. We eventually returned our beautiful Mustang at 0700 to Alamo.
A few interesting statistics… (or otherwise).
Miles driven : 1850 over 8 days.
Average MPG in US Gallons: 35MPG
Average MPG in UK Gallons: 42MPG.
I actually think that the hiring of a Mustang for this part of the adventure was a very good call, albeit a tad cramped with two x 6 footers in the rear.
It would never have worked out, had we been other than hand baggage.
It was not always practicable to have the roof down as once above 45 mph, those in the rear suffered turbulence.
Other than the above, we had a great time with that car and have no regrets whatever.
Would I have hired it for an Orlando Vacation? No.

Security at Phoenix Sky Harbour was a breeze and we were at stand A22 with loads of time to spare.. as was the A321 that was to move us to Tampa.

On taxi out, I was able to view the Hangar of the Arizona Air National Guard with its Boeing KC135 tankers on the Hardstand outside.

We departed on time and arrived in Tampa on time.. 1600. Tampa was very easy to navigate indeed and we were soon in the Alamo Car Hire area with a choice of around a dozen cars.. all Nissan Altima or Chevy Malibu. A Malibu it was, then.. mainly because I had never driven one before.

It was a bit of a disappointment after the Marvellous Mustang… but somewhat more spacious for the passengers.. not that this is important, given that I am not a passenger 😃. I would liken it to a rather pretty, A4 sized car on the outside, with all mod cons on the inside, lane assist, cruise, voice control, touch screen centre screen etc, but styled in the cheap hard plastic and nylon seating that you would expect in the 1980’s, all cheap and nasty.

We drove for 15 minutes to the Hampton inn, immediately opposite the entrance to Busch Gardens, albeit you have to walk 400m and round a high wall (and back up again) in order to get in.
Check in was straightforward and we soon found ourselves in our very spacious room.

Time for a quick meal at Olive Garden (Matt’s choice and just a few hundred yards away) and then to hit the Park for some serious ‘Coastering’. What could go wrong?

The meal was good, very good. Dan and I had a combination trip with bottomless Soup and Rolls. Mandie and Matt had other stuff.. all washed down with Diet Coke. There was more than enough, bordering on too much, but we struggled through. The Chicken Soup with Gnochi was very good indeed.

$108 , plus a twenty for some immaculate service and we were out of there. The Park beckoned!

Only it didn’t. Down came the rain, sufficient rain that by the time we reached the Hotel, we would have been no wetter, had we jumped in the Swimming Pool. I tried splashing people and it was so bad that they never even got upset! I must add that I most certainly haven’t paid for it to rain and am somewhat disappointed.
Now, we are in our room for the night.. no matter, I have a thrilling book to read!

[cornishfrogboy]

A day of beach, Kayaking and severe injury at Fort de Soto and some Busch Gardens to finish off.. 16 June 2024.. Or ‘I’m gonna soak up the sun’ by Cheryl Crow.

Today was a day to try new things, Glass Bottom Canoeing, to be exact and by 1100, after a pretty standard Hampton Inn complimentary breakfast, we were at Billy’s Stone Crab Shack, waiting to meet ‘Get up and go Kayaking’ in their Glass (or rather, Perspex) Canoes. Signage was clear and there was no issue with finding ‘Get up and go’.
Chris, our guide gave a thorough briefing whilst emphasising the need to stay hydrated. We were soon on our way, us, plus a further group of five.

This was our second Kayak adventure in a week and by now, I was feeling like the ‘Ancient Mariner’, double crewed with Dan and really hacking him off with incessant tips and advice. Matt, meantime settled for occasionally and deliberately splashing us with his paddle, whilst Mandie powered their Canoe forward, totally unaware that Matt was somewhat distracted.

First it was to the Mangrove Creeks as the Tide was dropping fast and Chris feared that the opportunity was disappearing.

I was having trouble with my IPhone. It kept indicating that it was shutting down functions as it was overheating. What is all that about? It was only 98 degrees f. That isn’t hot. No matter, IPhones are water resistant, so I gave it a quick, shallow dip to cool it down. This worked for another hour before it started playing up! It is now refusing face recognition and keeps putting up undemanding apps. I fear that all is lost! Dan assures me that as the iPhone is 3.5 years old, the waterproofing will have degraded and that the Phone battery is on its last legs in any case.
We then set off for Shell Key….

Where Chris, (anxious not to scratch the Canoe Bottoms), helped us onto the beautiful beach.

A quick swim in the Gulf, then all too soon, it was time to set off back.

In the case of Chris, back clearly meant backwards.

All too soon it was over. We were back at the jetty and we headed further down Fort de Soto by Car to North beach, again absolutely stunning and with white powder sand… like many other Gulf Shore Beaches. Another swim and it was time to head back to Busch Gardens. I heavily recommend Fort de Soto to anybody seeking a quiet, spacious and beautiful Beach… but not in Flipflops.
As we walked back to the car from our swim, I had not a care in the World.. until I stubbed my toe against a Rock that leapt into my path. Blood? There was plenty of blood. Pain? It was worse than I imagine Child Birth, absolute agony. Fortunately, I realise that pain is simply natures way of allowing weakness to ooze out of the body, so I never made any fuss about it whatever 😩.
This is my big toe, once cleaned up, back at the Hotel.

I am betting that you really wanted to see that 😂.


We were back at the Hotel by 1630 and at that time, it was just Dan and I that decided to get a few rides in BG, before the fast approaching Storm Clouds arrived. Even though the Busch Gardens entrance is dead opposite our Hotel, it is shielded by a wall… a 500 yard wall that Dan and I had to walk around before presenting our Undercover Tourist, Black Friday Discovery Cove Ultimate (£142pp) Voucher.

No problem whatever and 4 tickets were issued at Customer services… we were in the park at 1700.

We realised that we could not hang about, with those clouds a gathering…
Iron Gwazi at 1702 , a Walk on.

Sheikra at 1720, a Walk on.

Tigris at 1728, a walk on.

Kumba at 1746, a 5 minute wait whilst a Lady did the walk of shame from her seat.

Cheetah Hunt at 1806, a 3 minute wait.

We passed a drinks stall, but refused to pay $7.25 plus tax for a bottle of water. We used the very cold water fountain by the rest rooms by the Montu entrance instead.

Montu at 1818, a walk on.

It was 1826 and we had hit all 6 big Rides in 1 hour 25 minutes. We had spent more time waiting to disembark from the various rides, than we had spent tiime waiting to embark. Try doing that in Disney or Universal!

Time to go and first it was 500 yards down the wall before crossing the Road to a Garage.. I bought a Pineapple Fanta 0.5 litre at $1.99 and we both had Wild Cherry Fanta Slushies at 99 cents. A bit of a bargain, when compared with inside Busch Gardens!
We went to leave the Garage… and then the Sky opened in an absolute torrent. We walked through it, eventually arriving at the Hampton in a somewhat damp state.

Just as the rain eased off.

Time for dinner. Mandie opted for a Red Lobster, so we walked the 300 yds to Restaurant, well aware that we were in a seemingly ‘sketchy area’ , with plenty of vagrants hanging about. This is when we discovered that Red Lobster had filed for Voluntary Protection under the Bankruptcy Code on May 19.. and that they had close down.
Desperate times require desperate measures and we were certainly desperate. Myself, Mandie and Matt opted for a Whopper with Cheese Meal Deal at Burger King, but this was simply too much for Dan, who refused point blank. He opted for the Taco Bell, all but next door. He said that he would rather eat his own excrement , than go in a Burger King in the USA. He was proven to be right, in that it was disgusting, served by a totally disinterested Staff in a squalid dump of a Restaurant. $32 and no tip.

Back to the Hotel, where I am coming under pressure to move on to Orlando a day early.

My iPhone has sent all images to the Cloud, but otherwise, still playing up!

86 Miles driven.
No idea on steps as I have trashed my phone.

[cornishfrogboy]

All change, all change… all change! .. wel, it can only be Chchchchchchanges by David Bowie 😃.

I caved in at 0800 this morning and Mandie contacted the Star Island Resort in Orlando. Yes, we could stay an extra night. Yes, it would be $130.. plus tax and resort fee. I am, but weak.. but not so weak that I didn’t take $50 of both Dan and Matt and a £50 bank transfer from Mandie.

Without any further ado (well just a little further ado), we were checked out and on the road towards Orlando. Caspersen Beach was not going to happen.. no Fossilised Sharks Teeth tomorrow!
It was of note that whilst checking out, we explained exactly why… a very nice Hotel with good Staff, but in a Toilet of an area. The receptionist replied that she would not have walked up to Burger King and back, even in daylight. It was indeed a poor area, frequented by vagrants and drug addicts, with a Burger King that was known to be notoriously poor. She also said that the cheap, open balcony Hotel next to iBK, was frequented by Prostitutes. I guess that the hourly rate for the rooms must be competitive!
Further, she informed us that we were not the first Family that had checked out on those terms and that in an ideal World, the Hotel would be picked up and placed somewhere else.

The drive went very well. We passed Dinosaur Land..

In fact things continued to go very well.. until we reached Lakeland and traffic slowed to around 10mph. Things did not get any better and on a couple of occasions, it came to a halt. We then hit the very heavy roadworks around the Seaworld turn off, finding that we could not actually take it and were being diverted. Fortunately, the Garmin recalculated and we were at Seaworld for 1315.

When we got out of the Car, it was hot, humid and 91 degrees f. The Seaworld gate was just a short queue and we were in.

First, the standard Orlando arrival photo. We have 13 of these, now. (We have traditionally done Seaworld on our first day).

Seaworld no longer gives out maps, so we photographed a map board instead.. or rather Mandie did, as I no longer have a phone.

You will notice their new, standing up ride, Icebreaker in the bottom left hand corner. There was no point in it even being on the map, as it seemingly had been running all day, but with no riders. This remained the case until we left.

We had a quick go on Mako, around a 10 minute wait and then headed off behind the Shamu Stadium to Antarctica (which no longer has that quirky Helicopter Ride to the Ice Station involving the Lunatic Pilot.

The Beautiful Belugas were still swimming aimlessly in circles.

The sign was still there (shamelessly copied from the one at Lands End). Despite my suggestion on our last visit, it still does not have a board with Penryn 4151 miles upon it. Needless to say, I am extremely disappointed that Seaworld Customer Services have ignored my request!

We moved on.. to that adrenaline filled ride… the Carousel. Mandie ducked it as she does not like extreme rides, whilst Matt would sooner die than get on. It reminded me very much of our ride in Monument Valley!

Dan, ever the showman, rode with no hands!

It was on again. The rest of the family drew the line at the Flamingo Pedalo’s and so we entered the Shark Tunnel instead.

Me, looking ‘whimsical’ .

Shark food.

Next came the Penguins.. but without that strange swirling ride about Puck the Baby Penguin, just straight in the door.. albeit, they are in the process of building a Penguin Coaster.. strangely, it is coloured .. White! Let us hope that it is more reliable than ‘Icebreaker’.

It was time for a ride! We chose my favourite, Manta… which was suspended due to a technical fault. Seaworld were not doing very well.

We decided that Happy Hour beckoned at Hooters and that therefore we should leave… but not before I had one last attempt to reunite with my Green Fatface Baseball Cap, that I lost whilst riding Infinity Falls on 19 April 2022 at approximately 1320 hrs.

Last ever photograph of my beloved Baseball Cap, taken at approximately 1319 hrs on that fateful day.
I walked up to the lost and found Property Office by the main gate, where I spoke with a member of Staff, so bored, uninspired, listless and utterly disinterested that she could have interviewed for a job at the Tampa Burger King Restaurant from last night. I asked politely and ever economical with words, she replied “No”. I guess that that is that then, lost for ever.

It was time to leave and head straight to Hooters at LBV. The Staff there were not disinterested. They were friendly, attentive, charming and…. rather lovely. It was somewhat a shame that their Uniforms had seemingly been put through the wash at a very high temperature. They had clearly shrunk to an extent that it must have been a struggle to even pull them on!
The food was well priced and delicious, in my case a Philly Steak Sandwich with Curly Fries.

Bottomless Diet Cokes all round and a bill of $83 (plus a 20 to go towards a uniform that fitted the poor girl). She was clearly also, rather cold!

The girls made a bit of a fuss of Matt, when told that he was soon to join the Army.

I know that some on the DIBB are no great fans of Hooters, but without any tongue in my cheek, I can honestly say that they serve up some of the very best value food around, in very clean surroundings and with fun Staff that seemingly enjoy their work a good deal. The Blonde in particular, was Chatty Confident and very Sharp Witted. We originally had the girl on the left as our Waitress, but it was clear that she was new, inexperienced and struggling. It was of note that the Waitress with the Blonde Hair had noted this, stepped in a couple of times and visibly helped her Colleague and without explanation. They are clearly a Team in this Restaurant!

It was time to Check In at the Star Island Resort. I was a tad nervous on this one, as you don’t normally get a Three Bedroomed Accommodation in June, in LBV at $130/night plus resort fees of $19/night.

I needn’t have worried in the slightest. The Resort is extremely secure and with a Gatehouse containing a very switched on Security Officer. He spoke, made enquiries and only then, allowed us to pass into this gated Resort.
Everything is immaculate, the Reception, the Pools, the buildings, the Grounds, everything.
We went to our Suite. The pictures speak for themselves.

This place is absolutely fabulous! The very best accommodation that we have stayed in over our 15 USA visits, including some large Villas. I reckon that we have 1500 sq feet of living space.
This beats LBV Village resort and Spa out of sight and should we ever return to Orlando, then this is where we shall most certainly stay. I am so knocked back by this, that I have refunded the 50’s to all parties.

We then went to Walmart to buy in for the next few days and upon return, are relaxing over a large Bottle of Pineapple Infused, Barefoot Wine.

82 Miles driven.
No idea on steps.

Night’ all!

[cornishfrogboy]

Shopping, Golf, Pickle Ball and Bahama Breeze… a thrilling combination!

A bonus day. Today was meant to be spent travelling from the rather less than salubrious setting of Busch Gardens Boulevard to our accommodation in Orlando, but great news folks! We are already there 😀.
It would have been time for a nice ‘oversleep’, but regrettably , I was up and ‘dibbing’ by 0600. I am by nature, an early riser and it irks Mandie no end. Apparently, I tap too hard on an IPad Screen (as I no longer have an IPhone).

The boys had no such problems and eventually, we left the accommodation at 1030, bound for Downtown Disney.. or Disney Springs, as it is now called.l but not before a luxurious Breakfast on the Balcony.

These breakfasts have always been a highlight of any USA vacation as I am not personally that wild on cooked ones.

Getting to Disney Springs was no problem at all .. although seemingly, it was not quite so easy for some others.

It would seem that Minnie Mouse’s Van changed lanes and in so doing, wrote off the front end of somebody else’s Car. Nobody appeared injured and Mandie ventured the opinion that Minnie’s Ginormous Feet may well have got stuck amongst the Pedals of her Van!

We were soon parked up in ‘Orange’, a bad selection as it turned out, placing us on the wrong side of Planet Hollywood. We then had to go through a security arch and associated Staff before leaving the Car Park to enter the Shopping Mall. This came as a surprise, being that this had never been required to enter any Shopping Mall in my lifetime. No matter, we were in.

Even at this early hour, sections of Disney Springs were extremely busy and people were even queueing to enter Shops. I don’t do that!.. or at least, I didn’t think that I did.

I was on a mission. I always buy the same three things at Disney and nothing else. A 2024 Pin, a Medium, 2024 Photo Album and an ‘Our Disney Vacation’, Collage Photo Frame.
Well, the good news is that I already have 3 of those Photo Frames in storage at home, which is really rather fortunate, as they don’t seem to sell them any more.
That being the case, as I entered the Disney Store, there were only two things on my list!

Mandie and I about to enter the Store.

We found the items and duly purchased them.. for a total of $44 ! Some price for a Cheap, tacky Brooch and a Cheaply manufactured Photo Album.

My problem is that this is my 15th USA vacation and as a result of this, I have 14 Photo Frames with a Pin Glued to them and 14 Photo Albums. I can hardly break this tradition, even though I have not even entered a Disney Park on the last 6 or so visits. I am simply a Creature of both tradition and habit, albeit Mandie is somewhat less complimentary in her description.

An old photo of our ‘Wall of Memories’. (It is out of date, as there should be 14).

That done, we had a brief look around other parts of Disney Springs and I even queued to enter the Lego Store! Matt purchased two Lego Cars (a bargain, he assures me) and we were gone. No photo by the Winnie the Pooh Figures and no Rainforest Cafe either as the Crowds were really starting to irritate.

Next it was the Pemium Outlet Mall where after a quarter of an area of circling the area opposite Tommy Hilfiger with dozens of other cars, we finally got a free parking space.
Rather predictably, Mandie and I purchased nothing, zip, zilch from any Shop. The only thing that is of any use whatever to us that is any cheaper than in the UK is Jeans .. and we both have plenty. Neither of us are Shoppers and neither of us ever will be!
The queue to enter the Disney Outlet Store was around 50 and this astonished me.
There was also a surprising and considerable queue to enter Gucci.
There was actually one Shop Purchase, in that Matt purchased some Diamond Earrings for his Girlfriend back home, despite my entreaties to the contrary. He is somewhat coy about the price, given that he knows that I never by useless Stones or Metal… Watches only!
We had Gelato from the Food Hall and I must say that it was excellent, even at $8 for two Scoops. We don’t even charge the tourists that much in Cornwall! I had Wild Cherry in Vanilla and also Passion Fruit Cheesecake. 10/10 and generous portions at that.

After a quick return to Star Island Resort, it was time to visit Mandie’s and My favourite Restaurant… Bahama Breeze on Vineland at Happy Hour.
Whilst Dan hit the $3 a Pint Beer, and Mandie went for Pina Collada, the rest of us were on Bottomless Soda.

Matt, meantime was texting his Chick.

For Appetisers, we opted for three between us and one was none negotiable.

I will ask you seasoned B Breeze Veterans to correctly guess which one.

For Entree’s

Mandie and I were the same as always.. The amazing Tropical Chicken Salad.. with Green Stuff, Strawberries, Mandarins, Grapes, Almonds and Feta.. plus some kind of Vinegarette.

Dan had Jerk Chicken Pasta.

Matt had Jerk Chicken with Rice (when not on his phone).

The total bill was a very reasonable $126… plus a 20.

It was then back to the Star Island Resort.. through exceptionally heavy traffic. Whilst Mandie and Dan were intent on relaxation, Matt challenged me to a beating at ‘Not particularly crazy Golf’. The balls and bats were free from the Games Chalet and I am not ashamed to say that I gave the boy one heck of a lesson in the finer points of Putting, hardly surprising, given that I have played a fair bit in my lifetime… and Matt has not.

It simply did not seem fair or appropriate to lecture him about back and forward movement of the Club akin to a Pendulum, Placing imaginary line across toes to point at the Hole etc.. This was a competition and any advantage was to be treasured!

We returned the Bats.. and surprisingly, both Balls. The ‘ Games Girls’ then suggested that we try Pickle Ball. We told them that we required a Coaching Session prior to any play and they duly obliged… badly.

We were no wiser than when they started and I am sure that eventually recover the ball that was lost behind the Slushie Machine.
Let play begin!

Neither of us knew any rules, but none the less, I am absolutely certain that Matt was cheating, as he clinched victory 21-20 in a very tense Match.

It was now time to hand back the Clubs and Balls before retreating to our Apartment for the Night.

Discovery Cove tomorrow… early.

[cornishfrogboy]

Discovery Cove. 19 June 2024. Or ‘Here come the Sun’ by those 4 Scousers who’s name I cannot remember… only it didn’t.

The day dawned grey (or gray as those Yankees prefer to call it). We were up and at Discovery Cove for 0710.. where it was also grey (or gray). No matter, this was Discovery Cove and I love the place! That will never change (unless they remove all Fish, Birds and Mammals from the Park, like they seem to be attempting at Seaworld).
I didn’t mind that you no longer get the Plastic ID Card with your picture upon it.
I didn’t mind that they no longer take your group Photo as you pass over the Bridge.
I didn’t mind that they no longer issue those lovely plastic maps.
I didn’t mind that you now have to buy a ‘Drinks Package’ for Cocktails etc.
I didn’t even mind when I later found that they no longer have a live Caribbean Band at the Galley, whilst you are eating.
We were still in Discovery Cove. It was at that moment of truimph, that I realised I had forgotten just one small and unimportant item in my excitement, namely my Swimming Trunks. $25 later and the problem was solved.… and then it started raining.

No matter, we went for breakfast and it was good… Home fries, sausage Patties, Fried Chicken. Perfectly acceptable with a Cup (as opposed to glass) of Orange Juice. We then had the long wait until 0900 for the waterways (and our favourite bit of beach between the entrance tunnel of the lazy river and the Marmoset Island ) to open. I then won the mad sprint over the Blue Bridge, grabbing 4 Loungers under a Parasol and could then smugly relax! To be fair (and honest), the competition, when it came to that ‘sprint’ , was not of the type that generally excel at Sprinting.. or even walking.

First we took our traditional, group Photograph.

.. or rather, we invited somebody else to take our traditional, group photograph.

And then, we were in the Lazy River.

The rain was still coming down, but we simply did not care. This place is unlike any other Orlando Park in that you are never overly crowded and can relax. My thoughts were with those, no doubt currently in Disney, Universal, Seaworld etc, (for a fraction of a nanosecond ). Next, we went to the Grand Reef.

For two hours until my fingers became ‘prunified’.

It was time for an early Lunch and I went for Coconut Salmon, accompanied by a delicious Pineapple Sauce and Rice. Really, really nice and contrary to my normal, Discovery Cove expectations of at best, average food.

Time for more Lazy River and a bit of bird feeding in the Aviary.. although they seemingly don’t eat much when it is raining.

And Roseate Spoonbills eat tiny invertebrates in any case!

There was a small lull, when the Sun even came out and things were looking even better. I had a doze on my Sun Lounger, moved out from under the Parasol.. Then it started raining again and it woke me up!

It was nearly 1500 and the Weather was showing no sign of breaking for the better. We decided to get changed and eat some more.

I said that I liked the Salmon, so I went for it again.. along with some Peppered Steak as it looked interesting. Again, both were delicious.
I then had some cake that was kind of seeded, but with a rather nice, mildly citric top to it… just for you, ClaireNJ.

Mandie then has a couple of Chocolate Brownies.

.. although she wishes you all to be aware that she only ate 1/2 of one.

And I had an Apple tart thing that I ate before I remembered that Claire would want a Photograph.

We had a vote and remarkably, it was unanimous… time to go, thus beating the rush to depart onto Seaworld Drive..

We got a fellow guest to take a photo, similar to the one that DC staff used to take in the ‘good ole days’ and were gone.

We were out and moving onto Vineland in no time at all… Then the boys remembered that they had left their Trunks (and mine) on top of a Locker. About turn and back to Discovery Cove to recover them!
Of course I did not mind this in the slightest, as I had my day in Discovery Cove 😖.

It was back to the lovely, Star Island Resort, where everybody (other than myself) became rather floppy and apathetic.
I entreated Matt to come and get another pasting at Golf… no thanks.
I suggested to Mandie that we go Alligator hunting.. no thanks.
I suggested a family Pickleball Competition.. no thanks, now for gods sake leave us alone.
Then I hit pay dirt. “Dan, shall we go to Seaworld and see if Pipeline is open”.
“If we absolutely have to”.
With enthusiasm such as that, I simply knew that we would have a great time.

The 7 mile drive took exactly an Hour, such is the current congestion in the area. We parked up at 1915 and walked briskly to the new, Pipeline Coaster, that is of the ‘stand up’ type and supposedly imitates a Surfing experience.
After half an hour (including a brief break down) we were on it.

To be perfectly honest, there was nothing remarkable about it. It was akin to being on an Airport Travelator that twisted about a little. Dan informed that it had left him feeling just a tad sick and that surprised me.

It was now 2015 and we moved across to Mako.

Wonderful, as always.. other than Dan informed that he was feeling like he might Vomit a little, which astonished me.

It was now 2025 and I was feeling absolutely fine.

Manta it was, then. At the conclusion of which, Dan informed that he had been sick, but had managed to contain it, which made amused me. To be fair, he did look a little green and when I asked why, he replied that it may well have had something to do with the 6 Budweisers that he had drunk at Discovery Cove… which did not surprise me at all.

I then suggested Kraken, but regrettably, it was closed.

In contrast to our 1 hour journey out, the return to Star Island took 12 minutes.

And that was it! I am now sat drinking a Glass of Pineapple Infused Wine, whilst writing all about it.

[cornishfrogboy]

A day of long awaited relaxation. 20 June 2024.

Reserved. Aquatica and/or Seaworld. 21 June 2024.. or ‘Aquarius’ by the 5th Dimension.. from the music ‘Hair’, (of which I have none).

We are Theme Parked out.
We are queuing up, out
We are jammed in horrific traffic congestion, out.
We decided on Aquatica today as firstly it was included in our ticket and secondly, we were intent on the park and also, the lazy and fast rivers, rather than the slides.

We got there at 1100 after a bit of a lie in and then some predictably heavy traffic.. and it was already very crowded. We left all possessions other than Camera, entry cards and Car Keys in the Chevy as we had less than no intention of paying the Ludicrous Locker Fees, Outrageous drinks prices and most certainly not the incredible food prices.

Both the Lazy and the Fast River were down ‘for maintenance’, initially, so Matt and I made one, single, half hearted attempt at a slide, but after 50 minutes of queueing, we were barely half way to the ride.. and we have done it many dozens of times in the past in any case. It was clear that the number of XPress pass holders, were making riding, nigh on impossible for anybody else, so we gave up, returning to our Beach Chairs (as all the Loungers had already been taken).

Matt waiting patiently for the slide that we never did.

That absolutely maddening, fake Australian voice kept coming through the Tannoys and this has irritated me from the very first time I ever heard it, around a dozen vacations ago. It sounds as authentic as Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mockney’ accent. He ain’t Australian and he don’t even sound like any of the many hundreds of Australians that I have met.

No matter. We were there to relax and enjoy ourselves. We went into one of the Wave Pools, where it was already indicating 91 degrees F. Even though very crowded, the water was bliss!

We then decided on the fast flowing River Run.. or whatever it is described as in ‘Australian’, chatting as we went round for around the next couple of hours, non stop. This was actually fun!

Matt, crying with laughter.

A little bit of Sunbathing (between the occasional clouds) and we were out for 1400. It has come as a relief to me, that I will never have to hear the ‘Fake Australian’ again.

The drive back to Star Island was surprisingly uncluttered by fellow Motorists and at that time, we had a debate on which Happy Hour, we would attend for dinner. Longhorns on West Irlo Branson was just a 37 minute walk according to Google Maps and therefore, we were unanimous(ish).

We left at 1530 as the Happy Hour was listed as starting at 1600. Whilst the others were determined to simply walk and moan that there Kindly Father wanted to have an Alcoholic Drink, rather than Drive them there, I had plans!
I wanted to see Alligators! I predictably failed in my objective... but saw these instead.

A Roseate Spoonbill.

Some Cranes?

The walk to Longhorn took… 37 minutes exactly. Not 36 and not 38, mainly because I controlled the pace .. and I was vindicated, only to find that this one did not exactly do Happy Hours, rather some reduced prices for early diners. No matter. We could live with that!

I had the most marvellous’Texan Margarita’ , followed by Bud Light. Dan had JD and Cokes x2. Mandie and Matt drank Bottomless Soda … then came the Steaks.

Mandie had a 9oz Flo’s Fillet with Sweet Potato and ‘Trees’.

Being a very strict Carnivore, I had a Flo’s 9oz Fillet (rare) and with Fries plus Caesars.

Matt had a 22oz Ranchers Sirloin that Dan and I had to help him with in order to preserve his dignity. As Dan and I pointed out to him, a whole Cow had willingly sacrificed himself in order that he could eat that Sirloin. It would be an insult to leave any of him on the plate.

Dan had a 22oz TBone..

That in no time at all, was reduced to this. He even considered cracking the bones in order to extract the marrow.

$178 plus a 25 in cash as a tip. That seemed a very fair price.

Then it was the long walk home.. via this wonderfully tasteful and subdued Tatt Shop.

Whilst the boys both purchased Towels (something about a Mandolorian being on them, which I believe is similar to a Marmoset), Mandie splashed out $9.99 on this…

I think that it is a serving spoon. Either way, I rather like it.

On return to the Suite, Mandie and Dan claimed to be exhausted. However, Matt was keen to right that previous evenings wrongs by beating me on the ‘Not very Crazy’ golf. He failed.

Then it was on to the Basketball Court for a 21 Round ‘Shoot Out’ from what he told me was the 3 point zone. He won 5-3 and that was hardly a surprise, as I have never played Basketball in my life!

Back to the Suite and now it is…. Time for bed!

[cornishfrogboy]

Our last ever? day in Orlando? 21 June 2024.

Today we had a lie in. Whilst Mandie and Matt had already stated their intent to do nothing much all day, Mandie working on her Scrapbook and Matt staying in bed, Dan and I were determined to do something interesting.. but what?

We knew that it was most certainly not be a Theme Park, for reasons already and repeatedly stated. We are sick of them.

We investigated Kennedy Space Centre as we have only been three times previously, including since the placement of the Space Shuttle exhibition. $79.99pp on the day, plus tax? As said, a little excessive as we have already been there 3 times, witnessed a Space Shuttle Launch etc.. Scrub that one.

Valiant Air Command at Titusville? Anoutstanding Museum that is seldom mentioned on the DIBB… But we have been there 3 times including a last visit just 2 years ago. Scrub that one, then.

An Airboat ride? We have done Spirit of the Swamp twice and Boggy Creek 3 times.. as well as knowing that Buffalo Tiger and the other Miccosukee offerings on the Tamiami Trail between Naples and Miami are simply in a different league, with dozens of Alligators on any trip and also, interaction between the Gators and the guide. Sorry B Creek and Spirit of the Swamp, you just don’t cut it in the face of such fantastic rivals.

Rainbow River or Mount Dora? Too far.

Old Town Kissimmee, just two miles down Irlo Branson? Sorry, done it before.

That left just one obvious thing , a trip to good ‘ole Kermit Weekes with his Fantasy of Flight at Polk, just 20 miles away. Whilst I have been before, Dan has not. It took an hour to get there, due to predictably heavy traffic near the Land of the Rodent, but we were there for 1200… as were just 5 other cars. Clearly, times are hard for Kermit and his amazing collection… and we were soon to find out why.

Last time that I went, there were three Hangars, an Engine Storage Building and also the most amazing treasure trove of stored, but unrefurbished Airframes, over the road at a place called ‘Golden Hill. There are around 250 Airframes at this location and including some real ‘Rarities’. In addition on that occasion, Kermit flew in, had a chat (about himself mainly) and signed both books and Autographs.

This time, just one Hangar was open and with 2 Docents. Everything else is unavailable to the public. He has just one restorer of Aircraft working on site, with all other work scattered across both the USA and Europe. We paid $15pp and were in.

The Hangar was packed and to be fair, there were some very good exhibits. We were given a Private (as there were just two of us), tour by one of the Docent’s. He was absolutely brilliant, picking up on my love of Aircraft and removing ropes at various points in order that we could get right up to the various Airframes. He was a treasure trove of information. Dan, meantime, tried his best to display interest, but I strongly suspect that he was there out of loyalty, rather than enthusiasm.

A rather ropey Super Constellation, clearly untouched since my previous visit suffers from Sun fading of its previously rather good paintwork.

The following photographs are poor, due to the lighting in the Hangar!

A Russian Polikarpov i16 with a Spitfire LFXVI and a P51C Mustang behind it… and the Fuselage of a Messerschmidt BF109G-6 to the right.

A P51D Mustang in the spurious scheme of War Ace, George Preddy.

A Grumman F3F Biplane, forerunner to the Monoplane Wildcat. Behind it is a Grumman J2F Duck, amphibious aircraft.

A Replica of the Granville ‘Geebee’ Pylon Racer R1. This was a lethally dangerous aircraft to fly.. but held the World Speed record for Land Based Aircraft after Jimmy Doolittle reached 294 mph in it. Behind it is a De Havilland DH4C.

A partially restored Messerschmidt BF109G-6. It was progressing well, until Covid stopped its restoration.

The most important exhibit in the Hangar (IMHO), a Consolidated B24D Liberator Nose Section. This actual Aircraft took part in the Ploesti Oilfield Raids in Romania, where the USAF lost 54 Aircraft out of 178, the biggest Allied Bomber loss on any raid in WW2. Over 50 others were damaged, many seriously enough that they were ‘written off’.

That was it! Dan and I left, taking just on an Hour to travel the 20 miles back to Star Island. We were all together, but where should we eat? Dan was keen on Golden Coral, as was Matt. Mandie wanted TGI and I stated that I would ‘Go with the flow’. Golden Coral it was to be!

Things have changed in the Coral, $100 for the four of us no longer feels a bargain. Still, we were intent on getting our moneys worth.

Plate1. Steak (not too bad), Popcorn and other Shrimp with Tartare Sauce…. A pretty good starter.

Plate 2. Pepperoni Pizza, Meatloaf, Bourbon Chicken and Fries. .. not bad at all.

And now for ClaireNJ.

Apple Tart, Berry Tart, Stewed Peach Stuff and Vanilla/Chocolate mixed Ice Cream. There were no Gummy Bears to sprinkle on top and for me, this spoiled it a little.

Back to Star Island and a not very crazy Golf Match was to take place, Mandie versus the House Champion (me).
I lost and Mandie was so humble in victory, that she would not let me Photograph her, triumphantly holding her Bat aloft.
I got this one instead…

That was it. We returned to our accommodation in order to start packing our Suitcases.