Upcoming trip

And now we move to the future! First item, traveling companion…well, I gave my co-worker two chances to take a day trip to see if we could travel together. As you know, she backed out of the first chance and, not surprisingly, she also backed out of a second chance, so I told her point-blank that she couldn't go with me. I was pretty clear and, at first, she even seemed mad about it, but got over it kind of quick. She has since come up to me and asked again and if she was going. Very confusing! I set her straight (again) and she seemed resigned (again)…maybe it’s my OCD, but wishy washy people scare me. I feel LOADS better now!

Ironically, every reason that my ex-friend in 2015 ruined my Disneyland trip, this person was also doing (minus the ranging testosterone). Money…which I get, traveling is expensive, but she was expecting me to cover her as well. I was willing to cover hotels, but nothing else (even solo it’s two-person occupancy, hence my justification, although it would have been nice to pay half). Luggage…I find it hard to believe nowadays people don’t have at least a couple of backpacks in their house, but OK. Locations…I was looking at out-of-the-way interesting places, she wanted to hit all the tourist traps. I’m not into tourist traps at the best of times. The weirdest rant--cameras…she didn’t care until I bought one. I thought the rest of the world took pictures on their phone and didn't care about cameras? At least she did have a phone, which my ex-friend didn’t, so there’s that I guess? There were about a dozen other stupid issues I could mention, all of which were sending me into PTSD flashbacks, so all’s well that ends well and I can let all that go now.

Since the trip is back to being mine now (and I had already added the day before and the day after to my off days), I made the executive decision to leave half a day early and drive through the night so that I could arrive when the parks open Saturday morning instead of leaving at 1 a.m. on Saturday. But even that has snags. I had been keeping a close eye on the schedules, and I knew that the 23rd was National "get into National Parks Free day" (another crowding issue I was going to have to deal with), but Antietam decided to add a 161st celebration that wasn't on the schedule last time I checked (which could have been a couple of months ago in all fairness), so now I won't be able to go...too many people. That's a bummer. In all these years of going up there, we always went to Gettysburg, but we never got to stop at Antietam, even though I always wanted to. I might go to Monocacy instead, but it's not the same. Oh well, it means another PA trip on the horizon!

I also lost a ton of places I either couldn't go to on my own (negative), or really didn't want to go to (positive), so the trip has morphed into something completely different. Yes, it's still a future-home discovery, a family tree discovery, and a general vacation, but the vacation part has gotten bigger, while the other two aspects have gotten smaller (which is weird). I found myself getting further up into Maine than I ever intended to go (I only intended on skirting ME, NH and VT), but now, instead of spending my Birthday in Holliston, MA with my family , I'm going to be spending it in Bar Harbor in an expensive hotel (Happy B-Day to me), enjoying the beach and (hopefully) lobster, and more than likely, reading Persuasion (which is what I do every b-day, no matter where I am). Granted, I still have the family thing the day before, but at least my b-day isn’t hindered by it (not that it’s a hinderance, it’s just going to be emotionally draining for me).

Speaking of ME, I discovered there really is a place called Passamaquoddy (like from Pete's Dragon...the original, not the crappy remake, which I still haven't seen, but I think it's still safe to call it crappy), and since Pete's Dragon is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies, I HAVE to go! Yes, I understand that this Passamoquoddy looks nothing like the So Cal Disney backlot where the movie was ACTUALLY filmed, but my Disney girl gene is still strong despite the past month of me convincing you otherwise! And Quoddy (just a bit more south), is the Easternmost point of the US, and since I've been to the Southernmost point (in Key West) and the Geographic Center (in Kansas), I would be stupid to be that close and not go tick another box. Problem is, it adds a TON more to my travel time, but hey, this is me, right?

Then, I discovered that Mt Washington would be in my path on the way back home and my gears started turning again. I'm still not sure I can make the drive up it (too chicken…YouTube Mt. Washington drive), but I'm aimed for it just in case and, if not, I will have some good views from down below (if I make it in time, I can always take the trolley instead of drive it). I got a hotel close enough for the night after my b-day, just to be safe. And, when done, that lines me up for the Kangamangus Hwy, and I'll be there at the beginning of leaf peeping season, so yeah me, and I'll now be able to see the ME and VT State Houses (although I have to give up NH), but it will also put me in line for Ft. Ticonderoga, another bucket list place.

Like I said, what basically was a skirting trip has turned into a full three state discovery session (along with PA, CT, MA and NY)! I'm still trying to figure out how to get home in time (which is why I haven't booked a hotel for the last two nights, because I might drive straight home...it might be easier than adding another day onto the vet bill for boarding, which is already going to be outrageously expensive...more on expenses in a mo-mo). Everything I had planned to do on the way home, must be severely edited now just for me to make it on time to pick the monsters up! I'm still going through Albany and Harrisburg, but I managed to move Three Mile Island (another bucket list item) to the beginning of the trip as well as the Flight 93 Memorial. So, most of the home part of PA will be at night, but it will be interstate, so I'm OK with that. I may save the next night for just a "see where I end up and pull over at whatever hotel I can find" type of deal.

I will say though, for a road trip, I have spent a crap ton of money so far! And as I mentioned on the sly, yes, I bought a new camera! I'd like to say I couldn't help it, but I could have…I just wanted it. Then there are all the accoutrements that come with the camera. I also bought new luggage...partly because mine is over 25 years old, and partly because it's buried so deep in my closet, I'll never be able to get it out (and just don't want to try). Luggage is pretty cheap right now, so that wasn't so bad (at least not in the context of a camera). I've also needed new shoes, socks, underclothes, just general stuff that will live on well past the trip (that's my story). I've also been losing a lot of weight, so I've gone down a size and, of course, I don't have clothes for that size anymore. Even as we speak, I have a HUGE Amazon cart of clothes I'm waffling about purchasing. My credit cards are in pain right now!

Granted, this trip might be a LONG car ride and pictures from the car window, but it's still better than nothing (and they should at least be WAY better pictures than last time). I do have at least six hotels booked, so there is that, and I'm going to have to eat sometime (or at least stop at a store and buy more food than is in my Target cart right now). I did make sure to stick with my preferred hotel chain most nights (Hilton/Hampton Inn), so that way there is "familiarity" and I made sure to pick hotels with free breakfasts, so I could have one meal a day (if I can make myself get it...I've been bad about not doing that in the past because it requires human interaction, even with Continentals), or I leave too early for breakfast, but we’ll see (my mantra for this trip).

I haven’t made a “map book” yet, although I’m taking Google Maps snapshots as we speak, simply because plans are literally changing daily. It is so amazing what this trip started out as, and what it has become. I also have a hurricane to deal with (and its aftermath). Not that I’m saying I’m more worried about my vacation than the people that live there, what I’m saying is I don’t want to be in anyone’s way by being a “tourist” if they get damage. I’m sure they don’t want some stupid Arkansan in their way if they do. I have to take that into consideration as well and adjust accordingly.

That’s the main gist of the updates! I’m going alone, I have a new camera, I’ve spent a ton already, and I can’t wait! I really hope I don’t turn out to be a giant chicken and it’s all I’ve built this trip up to be in my head, because I’d really like to continue taking trips like this! I’ve also signed up for both AAA and AARP (one for car protection since there is now no one at home I can call when I’m 3000 miles away, and one because I’m old). I’m not sure how either discount will help me much in general, because I’m HORRIBLE at using discounts…they require interaction, (I don’t coupon either fyi). More expense, of course, but at least a bit more piece of mind (from AAA at least). Unless something major comes up, this is probably the last you’ll hear from me until after the trip, so wish me luck!

If everything goes horribly wrong, it might be a while before you’ll get picture updates, but I’ll try to drop in a little message to let you guys know what happened.

Day 4-The End Of Trips for TWO YEARS (Disney '21)

My final day, I had no doubts as to what my plan was, I was going home. No last minute running into parks, no last minute shopping excursions...nope, my butt was going home! I'd had enough. I did need to get a Saratoga Springs pin and shirt, but with all the construction, that took longer than it should have. But first, a few last parting shots of the resort including my balcony: And outside my balcony (I really need to stop paying extra for a view, because this is was the first time I stepped out here): But hey, time to get back in the Rogue and head back to the main building (because I sure as heck am NOT going to walk it!): The joke was on me though, because they moved it because of the construction (even in the three days since I checked in) and I still had to walk, including up a very painful flight of stairs (but hey, since my knee surgeries, I can't walk up stairs at all, so them where the days, I guess): But I did eventually make it and got my obligatory rug pic: Here's the promised map from the last post...I got off in the peach section and my room was in the red section (leaving you out for scale): And just because people don't really "get" the scale of Disney World, there are four theme parks, two water parks, a double-digit number of hotels and resorts, golfing places, an entire shopping district, and a TON of other things, so it's huge in scale overall...bigger in size than the cities of Manhattan and San Francisco. This resort alone, for example, Saratoga Springs, is tiny in comparsion to other resorts, but the section I was in, the red section, had four buildings, each with over 130 rooms in each building! Think of a typical hotel you would stay in, this resort is made up of sections of hotel buildings, maybe 15 or so in all? Yeah, and Saratoga Springs is SMALL!

I did decide to eat a good breakfast, so I went to the resident restaurant at Saratoga for my Mickey Waffles: The decor was relatively simple, but pretty: But by 10:34 a.m. (and I swear, this is the last time I'll say this, by the EXIF data), I was on my way home! One last look at the "oppression state": And there are only about four more pics after that, this being the very last one taken at 4:36 p.m. (but I won't say why I know that!): And that's it! As some of you know, almost a week after this trip, I would have a nerve test done on my feet and legs and almost killed me, but hey, it started my journey to my knee surgeries, so I'm going to turn a negative into a positive there. And yes, this trip caused a lot of trauma but, in the end, I'm still a Disney girl at heart (and always will be). I needed a long break for a while and now, maybe for a while, I'll take trips elsewhere. I still have to get overseas eventually, after all.

Someday (but not anyday soon), I will wind up in Disney again, but the next Disney trip I take will be to Disneyland, of that much I am sure. My sister and I talked about it, but now, that is scrapped and I'm going alone, again, that is OK. Maybe it's something I need to do alone anyway. If you guys remember, the first and only trip I took to Disneyland didn't end well either, so maybe alone is the best way to handle it anyway.

As far as Florida goes, politicians don't last forever, CEO regimes don't last forever (although who would have thought Iger could screw things up too?), and things for my beloved Disney World will turn around again. I will be back. I am bummed I'm going to miss the 100th celebrations, but I did buy some 100th merch (I couldn't quit Disney altogether you know!), and I'm OK with that. I'm excited for the future and, for the first time in a very long time...happy and content with my life. I've made some pretty drastic changes and things are significantly different now (with more changes to come), but all of them have been for the better. After all, isn't what life should be...a neverending series of attempts at improvements? That's what mine has been, anyway.

But that's it for now. I might update my Disney Reviews page somtimes soon. So thanks guys and I'll keep trying to hang in there!

Day 3 Part 2-First Ever Disney Shopping Fail! (Disney '21)

In the past, I have literally spent thousands of dollars at Disney World on merchandise, sometimes more than the trip has actually cost (sometimes, twice, or three times the cost of the trip). I should be ashamed to say that aloud, but I'm not. I have a wonderful collection that I've curated because of it, and I'm quite proud of that fact (I also have a lot of junk, but oh well, one person's junk is another person's treasure). Every trip, there are certain things that have become trip "staples"...things I ALWAYS purchase every single trip because I can always count on those items to be there, and usually be dated with the appropriate year for that trip. On this trip, I utterly failed in my mission. What I brought home that trip, could fill one big bag (and most of it sat on my kitchen table up until about mid March of this year, the pins are STILL sitting there...I couldn't (and can't) bring myself to touch them).

The night of day 3 was my attempt at trying to rectify my lack of "duty". I had lists...carefully complied lists in my carefully made binder book that I've made every single trip since the late 90's. Shopping lists of things I need, things to buy for other people, things I would like...you know, the typical completely useless crap. I didn't touch my book. On day 3, my room was in walking distance of Disney Springs, but I took the (apparently) 7 minute journey to Disney Springs on a bus and found myself walking too soon yet again: I obviously went into Trend-D, one of my favorite stores, because I have proof: And I again walked past the super-popular new cookie store, but I didn't attempt the line this time (and apparently didn't stop to get a proper pic): The next pic almost immediately after that is of an Earl of Sandwich: But the following pic gives more context: It was 8:05 p.m. and I was back in the room eating said sandwich. How much shopping I did, I can't say. Looking back, I'm utterly ashamed, but hey, at least my credit cards didn't suffer! I know I used up every gift card I bought, but in all fairness, I didn't buy a lot this trip (I usually start buying those early in the year since I typically plan Disney trips a year ahead, I planned this trip within the month, another first for me). But hey, the couch was a pull down murphy bed, so this was hiding behind it (another crappy picture taking excursion apparently): That night, I did a lot of soul searching. I had planned to go to Disney's Hollywood Studios the next day, but I totally wasn't feeling it. I have never hurt that bad in my life. Another thing I have always done before a Disney trip is "train" physically. This trip, I didn't have the time. I went physically unprepared, overweight, and I suffered because of it. I cried (a lot) that night.

Also that night, I realized I didn't love Disney anymore. I had been touched by strangers on buses, in lines, at restaurants, and just in general (but no more than any other trip) and, I ALWAYS notice it, but this time, I REALLY noticed it. After COVID, I realized I never wanted to be touched by another human being again. Two years later, I'm still dealing with that trauma. Other guests have always been the bane of my existence, but never more so than that trip. In the subsequent years, well, you guys have heard the stories, they have made national (and international) news. Disney guests are the worst kind of people on the planet.

It was also the beginning of the downfall of the Disney Company for me. Chapek was in charge at the time and I hated everything he was about (things got way worse later, but this trip is what we are focusing on) and his fingers were all over the parks. There were physical changes in the parks I didn't agree with, pricing models that were bad, heck, even the Disney Cast Members had lost their magic! Store CM's were rude, couldn't get mousekeeping in the room to save my life (and I didn't want them in there but once), the Food and Wine booth CM's didn't want to wait on you, it was just a complete mess. In the time since, I have limited what I've purchased from Disney and I've not given a dime to Florida.

One final story before I depart this day...to top off this entire trip, when I got off the bus this night, I got off at the wrong stop and ended up having to walk completely around the resort! In the next post, I will show you a map of the resort, but it doesn't give a sense of scale, trust me when I say, I don't know how long I walked, but I was practically laughing in a Harley Quinn kind of way when I finally found my way back to the room (using the AirTags). It was an Epcot-ian kind of distance and if I never see that resort again, so be it! To add to the rude CM's...several of them drove past me in the little golf carts on their way through the resort and, there was a day when resort staff would stop and ask me if I needed a ride, especially the way I was limping. This night? Every one of them honked for me to get out of their way and almost ran over me on their quest to get to their location. That is probably why there are no pics from one location to the other. Frankly, I don't even want to discuss that story anymore, so on we go.

Next up, my final day in Disney World. I'd like to say it was a good end, but come on, you guys know the end of this story. What I did was, very slowly, packed up the car, and left for home...unceremoniously and with a sense of defeat. It will be a short one. By the looks of it, my last picture was somewhere in Alabama, so about halfway home, which also means I drove straight home, not either scenic way (either by the Gulf Coast or through Chattanooga). Basically, I even gave up on picture taking halfway home. But let's save that for next time, shall we?

Day 3 Part 1-Last Park, forsaking my Disney Fandom card! (Disney '21)

I'd like to say I slept in and didn't get to the bus stop until 8:42 (according to the EXIF data) because I had the most amazing birthday's ever, but, in all actuality, I could literally barely walk at this point and it just took me a long time to get ready and physically get to the bus stop: The ride to Epcot was too short (bet you thought you'd never hear me say that, but by this point, any chance I got to sit down was a good one and Epcot isn't a park for sitting). Of course, my luck being what it was, they dropped us off at one of the furthest bus stations I've ever been to: It took me quite a while just to get to Spaceship Earth (and no, I didn't ride it, so yes, it's going to be one of THOSE days): There were at lot of walls though, and Disney has only gotten worse since. It's been my reasoning for why I don't want to go back (all the changes I don't agree with), but I also have issues with Florida in general, Disney management, and a million other things, but that's for another set of posts...I'm trying not to be too negative: I did head over to The Land to ride Soarin' and Living with the Land, but I'm not sure if I road either because I have no pics. More than likely, I did ride Soarin', but not Living with the Land. If I had to guess. I could see where, at least at that time, I could walk right onto Soarin' so there wouldn't be time to take pics, but Living with the Land is a long boat ride, so there would be a ton of time for pics. I obviously didn't ride it at all, but I can't imagine I walked all the way into that building and didn't ride anything. But, since I have no proof, I'm not counting either, just to be safe. I also didn't eat breakfast at Sunshine Seasons, one of my favorite breakfast spots, because there are no pictures of it. Probably because it was getting close to time for World Showcase, which meant Food and Wine, but something was very wrong! I walked to The Seas with Nemo and Friends, but I didn't go in (there are no pics and there would be pics): I do have proof I road Figment: Mainly because here he is! And the second I could get there (World Showcase opens later than Future World does, but I'm not sure they call either land by those names anymore), I was back in search of 50th statues (although again, I missed a ton!):

I did start hitting the Food and Wine booths, apparently not until Germany though, according to these pics (it may have been 2 years, but I know my FaW booths!): Although I didn't remember to take a picture of my drink until I had finished, but I'm pretty sure it was alcohol free. It might have been pomogranate maybe?

Then Italy apparently: And Greece (and there is no use showing you the booths, the outside of those hasn't changed in years, although I did manage to photograph every single one...somehow): More walls: Canadian cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread...my absolute favorite thing on this planet! This was supposed to be pavlova, but it was the weirdest pavlova I have ever had. I remember that at the time: I did go into the new Creations store in Epcot, which took over my beloved Mouse Gear, which I apparently never reviewed, so I need to fix that. Creations is divided into silver and a color side, which I thought I would prefer the color side, since it was very 80's, but I ended up prefering the silver side. But if this trip taught me anything, it's that tastes change, and apparently, mine definitely have! What I can remember about that day at that point was, it was about 1:30 (again, I checked the EXIF data), and I found myself back at Spaceship Earth with a choice...make the loop around World Showcase again, start riding rides, shop, or head back to the room...can you guess which way I went? Yep, you guessed it! Back to the resort I went! I was having extreme bouts between numbness and pain in my feet and legs and I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed a break. This pic was taken later, but you get the point). I rested for a bit, and by 4:45 was back at the bus stop, but waited almost an hour for the bus (this pic was timed at 5:30 p.m.). The longer I sat there, the more I just wanted to go back to the room: Given a choice between sitting at the bus stop or hurrying up at Disney Springs and being in the room for the night, I would definitely pick the room anytime. I REALLY needed to get some shopping done...there are trip necessities that I always buy that I haven't even purchased yet (a hint...I don't end up purchasing them). But that's for now, so stay tuned!

Day 2 Part 2-It's my Birthday and I'll cry if I want to (Disney '21)

Ah, welcome back to the "fun" that was my 2021 Disney trip! I did slow these down a bit because they were coming too fast, even for me! Last you left me, I was heading back from the Magic Kingdom, in pain, but it was my Birthday, so I had plans. It was noon when I left, but it took forever for the bus to arrive, so it was 12:46 p.m. when I got back to the room:

I tried to take a bit of a nap, but I think it was more of going through what I already bought, dealing with my feet, and dealing with the ant situation. By 3:30, when I headed out to Disney Springs, I looked like this (and normally I don't; a) take pictures of myself and; b) show pictures of myself, but this is important for the story narrative, so I'm allowing it...I'm tired-looking, puffy, and my goodness, the hair!). I went out in public like this people! Seriously? By the time I got just to the walkway (which was aways away from my room), I had to get to just beside where that tent is, which, as the crow flies, isn't that far, but I ain't a crow and I can't fly, so I was in for a long walk! I stopped a TON and a LOT of people passed me (people that don't seem to exist here, but I assure you, it was a pretty busy path, I was still very apprehensive about picture taking...an absolute first for me), but it was all in the guise of "taking quality pictures" when I did stop (aka resting my feet): Best signage ever!

At 4:10 (according to the EXIF data, meaning it took me about 40 minutes to walk that loop), I made it to Raglan Road and just sat outside for a long time taking a lot of pictures until I could even check in for my reservation...I didn't want to carry anything around just yet, so I hadn't been shopping a bunch...I just sat there: But hey, slàinte mhath! (I did use Google Translate for that, but only to get the accent graves, so to hit my Scottish blood...Co-là-breith sona dhomh, happy birthday to me! (yes, I'm digressing, it was a rough night): Of course Irish soda bread with oil: And Bangers and Mash (full Irish, meaning with cabbage), I'm learning to embrace my Irish blood: All my dark ride pic experience was going out the window with my Guinness pics:

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I sat in there for way longer than I should, but it wasn't that crowded and I was dreading the next step, picking up the cake. Before we get there though, there is some explaining to do. I did pick up the cake, and got a mini cake too, but the next section was a bit of a blur. I didn't really think about how heavy a full cake would be to carry around. Plus, Disney Springs at night is NOT fun, not even on Monday, which this was. I tried to take pictures (keep in mind, last time we were there, Disney Springs was just being converted from Downtown Disney, so a lot of this is still new to me at this point...I failed at this mission). I tried to shop, but people where just rude. I found myself not buying anything, not because there was nothing to buy, but because I found myself not wanting to get around the people to get to merchandise. I don't remember the exact number, but I know I made it out of the World of Disney Store (the largest Disney store, at one point in the world), with less than 10 items. I didn't go in the art store, the toy store, the Lego store, the bath store, I may have gone in the Christmas store, but I don't remember it. The pictures go from Raglan Road to the cake shop (and only one cake in the display window) back to the room in a matter of an hour (and keep in mind, it took me 40 minutes to get there, and by the time I ate, and walked around even more on my already sore feet and legs, that means my shopping was extremely minimal at best for me to get back in an hour). The cake bag was massive and I bought a backpack I didn't even want just to have another way to carry packages other than in my hands. I almost get the shivers remembering that walk back. To say it was rough is severely downplaying it. So let's just pick back up there, at the room with the cakes: The seven layer red velvet delight that is Amorette's! I forget the exact name of this cake, but I've had the mini version of this cake before and thought the big version was a good idea. In restrospect, it wasn't. I was literally eating this cake for a month afterwards! And even now, if I ever did go back to Disney World (which as of now, I have absolutely no desire to do in its current state), the thought of this cake makes me sick to my stomach. It is still very pretty, but ugh, how sickenly sweet it was! And my first slice:

The mini cake was just plain chocolate, but I ended up eating a lot more of it and, in the long run, ended up actually liking it better, but I think it was because I was tired, full, and wasn't in the mood for sweet stuff. This one, despite appearances, wasn't nearly as sweet: And, at this point, I stayed in for the night, reading Jane Austen's Persuasion (like I have every birthday since I was in my teens), keeping my feet as elevated as possible. They were bleeding, swollen, and almost completely numb (which I was extremely grateful for, but a bit scared about since that was a new thing). I almost finished the Haunted Mansion cake that night (the rest was breakfast the next morning), and I was seriously questioning my life choices at that point!

This was a short one (for once), but you'll start to notice my attention span drop off considerably for this trip from here. Come next post and day 3, it will be my last full day (and my last park day as it ended up).