Well we didn’t have enough going on this year (just kidding) so we added another trip. Hubby is a guitar collector and “player” and had mentioned a few months a god that he would love to see BB King while BB is still performing – then Peter Frampton posted on his page that he would be touring with BB this year so we anxiously awaited the schedule and found that Colorado would be the perfect fit. Hubby had 2 free airline tickets from his employer to celebrate his 10 year anniversary and I would be able to visit my niece in Evergreen. So August 16th (a Friday) found us flying our way to Colorado, upon arriving we realized other than the concert on Tuesday and dinner with my niece on Sunday we had no real plans.
Hmmmm what to do…….
We had arrived about 8:30 am so we had all day (we had to get up at 4:30 am for our rendezvous with the plane!). After picking up our Avis car – (I love Avis Preferred!) – I took the little map Avis gives us and start scouting. Vail looked like a great first stop – so we headed west on I-70. Here are a few photos from our first day….
Harper would’ve liked this place! We really enjoyed it too! Sat outside enjoying the beautiful area and a fabulous Bloody Mary and did I mentioned the “truffle” french fries were excellent!We thoroughly enjoyed walking around Vail – so much to see and NO HUMIDITY!Feels so EuropeanLove how the sweet potato vine shines in this hanging basketAmazing sculpturesStairs are everywhere – should’ve had an UP bracelet for this trip!Hubby liked the bear sculptureYou can almost here the thunder of the horse runningLove the architectureThis is the back of the Stop sign – it’s all about the details!I love roof linesSo much detail in this sculpturehad to take a couple of shots of this oneAnd the flowersLove mountain flowersA creek in the middle of the resort – I bet that water is shivery cold!Did I mention the artwork?More architecture to loveYep – more stairs!This is a cloud bench in a playground with wind chimes to catch the lower breezesWhere am I again?Rows of mountains as far as the eye can seeInteresting “fence”Heading back towards DenverNatures WondersA weed in the middle of a parking lot – it’s the little things in life!
Dinner that evening was a little Cuban Place I found when I googled – “where to eat in Lakewood, CO” We almost didn’t get there because the Iphone GPS did not quite know where it was – however the reviews had said it was a little tiny place in a strip mall so we kept looking and we are so happy we found “Frijoles” Cuban Restaurant. This is the place the locals eat, while there may not be many tables, they stayed full and lots of people were in/out for take-out. The atmosphere was almost like eating in “grandmas kitchen”. I highly recommend you try Frijoles in Lakewood, CO, but you might want to wait a few days as they were expecting the birth of a new grandchild and planned to close for a few days to enjoy the big event!
More from Colorado later – now it is time to QUILT!
A few years back in a galaxy far far away I took my husband to Disney World for his 50th Birthday. We had so much fun that we called our son and his wife and requested grandchildren so we could bring them with us next time. Well they fulfilled the request and we scheduled the trip!
Now scheduling a trip like this can be tricky, you don’t want to go when it is too crowded, but you also want it to be spring when all the flowers are in bloom etc. You also need to take into consideration various work schedules, school schedules and GRADUATIONS! (see how I am able to sneak this big congratulations in!)
Kat has worked so hard and we are very proud of her!
We all agreed that we wouldn’t tell the kids until we were in route – momma decided while we were waiting for the plane would be the best time. She primed them the night before by telling them they were going to need to help clean the house and cars on Saturday, but they would get up early and go out for breakfast before beginning their day of labor. They assumed the suitcases were full of cleaning supplies. They could not figure out why they were at the airport and why were Grandpa and Grandma there too? Such gullible children at those ages! I don’t think it sunk in until we were on the plane in the air headed to DISNEY WORLD!
When will our plane get here – “We’re going to Disney World!”
So earlier this year dates were chosen and grandpa went to work on the details. We had an amazing experience while dining at Wilderness lodge our first trip we decided then that we would stay there on our next visit. So Grandpa reserved our “villas” at Wilderness Lodge.
totem!Heading to the boat to take us to the Magic Kingdom!
He also decided it would be fun for the kiddos (and especially their mom) to arrive at the lodge in style, so he rented a limo for the ride to/from the airport, including a grocery stop to stock the villas.
Sweet Ride!
We checked in, found our rooms, stocked the fridge, had a snack and headed to the Magic Kingdom. Now if we had tried to plan this entrance it never would’ve happened, BUT the afternoon parade of characters was just starting as we walked in! Yes I got choked up! And I knew then that LIFE IS GOOD! (I know it all the time, but this was so amazing to watch their little eyes light up and see the wonderment of all this world holds for them!)
Let the memories begin – even if the sidewalk is hot hot hot!The parade begins as we walk in! Timing!Overhead view – see the 2 on shoulders – yep it is the beginning of the trip!
After the parade we needed sustenance so we stopped at Casey’s for hotdogs (too big to eat if the truth be told) but we dined in front of the castle and watched the world go by! Then we headed off in search of stuff to do! We walked through Swiss Family Robinson’s tree house – Mr. B wanted to do that again! But we talked him to the magic carpet ride instead.
The castleKeeping Gotham safe?Just a pretty place for pictures!
While waiting for the magic carpet ride I started to get hives, many of my quilting friends know about these spontaneous hives I get – not sure if they are food or environment related. I get them about 6 times a year and benedryl has always cured them. So I popped a benedryl (yes I now always have these with me!), and hoped for the best. After the ride the hives weren’t better, but they didn’t seem to be worse so we headed for Pirates of the Caribbean, while in line (in the shade) for this ride the hives became worse, I took the 2nd benedryl and stated that if I didn’t feel better after this ride, we would hit first aid. Well that lasted about 3 minutes and pulled my husband out of line and we headed for a place to sit down, I was dizzy and nauseas and when I saw a custodian with a Disney badge I asked my husband to “GET HIM!”, I knew there was no way I could walk and I wasn’t improving. The “custodian” calmly asked me a few questions and then got on his radio and requested the paramedics. He then proceeded to ask me questions every now and then, I guess one time I did not respond and he was back on his radio upping the status, at that point the paramedics were just around the corner but we couldn’t see them. They put me on the gurney, wheeled me to some shade, gave me oxygen and took my blood pressure – it was very very very low. I was feeling better but the numbers weren’t lying . (Apparently that is because they had me with my feet up now and out of the direct sun). Needless to say my 2nd ride at Disney World started with an A and ended with an E – if you said AMBULANCE you are correct.
No words needed!
The first evening the our kids and grandkids were able to watch the Electric Parade, which is one of my favorites at Disney. Our day had started very early so they did bypass the fireworks over the castle. As they returned to the lodge, my husband and I were just finishing our meal so they joined us for dessert.
Day 2 we decided to sleep until we woke up and then head back to Magic Kingdom, we rode some rides – Splash Mountain was first up and then Thunder Railroad (which neither child liked one bit!). While we were having lunch it started to rain, we were able to fit in a few more rides in between the rain, Mr. B’s favorite was “Small World” he wanted to ride it 10 times. Many I love that boy! The TeaCups were on little Toot’s list of rides, we found them but they were being upgraded! Guess we will have to come back! Day 2 finished with dinner and fireworks at Epcot – the kids were mesmerized!
They loved getting autographsvroom vroomDaddy getting ready for the bumpy ride!A flying elephant –EpcotEpcotEven the drinks are magical!
Day 3 was an Animal Kingdom day, Mr. B and I were in the sweet spot (the wettest spot) on the rapids and were spent the rest of the day drying out. Seeing the animals on the safari was fun and searching for animals by their footprint and “poop” was another adventure for the kiddos. We lost Mr. B for about 3 minutes, seemed like forever, we were reminded to always look forward for that little man – he doesn’t backtrack! Our afternoon was wet with rain over at Hollywood studios – but Kat got to ride Tower of Terror twice so she was a happy camper. The kids and I went in search of characters! We had hoped to watch the laser show – but the rain was not cooperating.
It’s Russell!An actual termite hill – this is food for many of the animals!RhinoWhat kind of “poop” is that?Mickey and Minnie!Which ones are the characters again?Momma enjoys meeting the characters too!Mr. B loved meeting Goofy and Pluto!McQueen and Mater
Day 4 was our last – we spent this one at Epcot (another rainy day) but we met many characters the highlight of the day was Soaring – we weren’t sure Mr. B would go – but he LOVED it! Then we headed back to the hotel to swim and slide! I guess we didn’t need to leave Houston after all!
My kind of croc!One of the many flower arrangementsChip and Dale – Chip and Dale – Chip and Dale!It’s the Donald – the original angry bird!Daddy and Mr. BAwesome!Little Toot meets her Snow White!The princess chats with the young prince!Mr. B will only meet Snow White if sissy is there too!Precious!Our ponchos made it fun to play in the rain!
The limo picked us up at 6:30 am and we were all exhausted. Mr. B fell asleep in my lap on the plane, little toot had an airsick episode – grandpa said he didn’t know there were that many airsick bags on a plane – as helpful passengers decided they should send them all his way! Unfortunately Mr. B has been ill with tummy issues and ear infection since we returned home.
Asleep on Grandma’s lap on the plane home!
Even with all the drama and weather – I can’t wait to go back to Disney again. The “cast” members are amazing – from the “custodian” to the “maid” to all of the characters and their helpers. Our experience was amazing!
