Photo by The Joneses The gang's all here! Greg and his family came to visit us in Florida. We spent an action-packed two days checking out Disney World. SLIDE SHOW: A visit from family — — — View Larger Map
ARCHIVES: You wouldn't believe how beautiful Canada is! Wouldn't change a thing Who knew there was so much to see in South Dakota? Time is flying by — but at least we're having fun! I (heart) Hart Ranch, South Dakota Rallyin' in Goshen, Indiana A special day From friends to work to warmer temps, we're still having fun in Florida Traveling to Texas Finally, we're in Alaska! On the way to Canada Boise sure has changed a lot Escapees Rally in Wyoming Bittersweet trip through the southeast From Boy Scouts to ‘Stars on Ice’ Michigan is full of treasures Arriving in Florida Earning our ears Celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Florida and the Disney Parks Down in the Lowcountry Making our way through Minn., Wisc. and Ill. The holidays in Florida Our time in Lakeland has come to an end Couldn't have had a better time in Omaha! Arriving in Charleston A day with friends from Frederick 'Life is good' in Lakeland, Fla. Leaving Florida, and heading north Our final days in Kentucky Into the Keys Out of Charleston and off to Indiana Dreams come true in Vermont You never know what you'll see or who you'll meet in Alaska Leaving Indiana, but not before taking some of the state's best sites Idaho is full of natural treasures — and moon-like craters, too It's all about the theme parks From prairie country to beautiful views to grand 'ol Yellowstone Thunderstorms, flooding, tornados and a visit with the 'Duke' And so it begins ... Moving days for Greg and his family The gang's all here! Happy to be in Florida again Strawberries, and more strawberries 'The RV Capital of the World' From the beautiful Maine coastline down to southern Connecticut Training for our jobs at Disney World Chillin' out at 'Camp Monaco' Under the weather Back in Florida At long last, back in the area Lots to see in the 'Show Me' state With family and spectacular sights in Hailey, Idaho Look back, look ahead Back in the Lower 48 The cold weather is hitting Florida From Dallas to devastation Back on the road again Leaving Idaho and heading east Beautiful Alaska A memorable visit to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Watch out for flying dinner rolls

Some of the readers may remember him — I kind of think Mr. DeLauter, who was an assistant principal at TJ at that time will remember him since Greg spent much time in his office. After high school he went to FCC for a year and then joined the Army. He just returned from a one-year tour in Iraq and came to Florida with his family for a week’s vacation. With our free passes we were able to spend two days at Disney World.

The first day we went to Magic Kingdom, which is the oldest of the four parks and is, for most people, still park choice — it is full of “magic.”

It was quite a challenge deciding what to do and what rides to go on. Katie, the youngest, is three years old and the Kiddy rides are for her. Georgia, the oldest teenager, and Sandra (Greg’s wife) wanted the shows and slower rides, while Kimberly and Greg wanted to go on the fast rides. Ralph and I were still not feeling up to par so we just followed the group. Somehow we managed for everyone to do at least a few of the desired attractions.

The cutest, and my favorite for a slow ride, is “It’s a Small World,” where a boat glides slowly through a totally animated show of little people from all over the world dressed in colorful costumes singing and dancing. Katie loved it. She also loved the “Flying Dumbo” ride.

We saw the “Disney Magic Show” dance performance in front of the castle. Greg and Kimberly enjoyed the ‘Space Mountain” ride. This is another one of my favorites — it is a roller coaster inside a building (Space Mountain) — it is fast and being in the dark adds to the excitement.

I did not go on it, which is very unusual for me, I love roller coaster rides, but I still don’t feel 100 percent. The park was not very crowded but it still took time for each ride and/or attraction and we did a lot of walking. All of us were very tired, but ready to go again the next day.

The second day we went to Animal Kingdom — this is the newest park.

All the animals in this park are real, it is almost like a wildlife zoo. The best ride is the “Hambre Safari” and we took it first thing in the morning. A large jeep drives the passengers through an African landscape with wild animals everywhere. We saw many animals, from lions to elephants to crocodiles to zebras to hippos and on and on, it was truly amazing.

Ralph and I had taken this ride before but it was in the afternoon and apparently most of the animals were sleeping. We saw so many more this time, it was great and very exciting.

After this ride we stopped and watched a beautiful — and original — performance of African dancing. At the end of the show the dancers gave lessons to anyone daring enough to go on the stage. Needless to say Georgia, Kimberly and I, holding Katie, were daring enough. Of course our dancing wasn’t great, but we had fun and that is what counts.

The next park we went to was Hollywood Studios, formerly called MGM Studios.

The park is all about movies and the film industry. One ride Ralph and I like is “The Great Movie Ride,” which takes you through classic film scenes and Hollywood moments. We watched the “Beauty and the Beast” show, a stage performance, which included the singing of popular songs from the movie, and a lot of dancing.

Little Katie just loved the show, she was totally excited and couldn’t keep her eyes of the performers. Ralph and I didn’t stay very long with the kids since we had to go home and prepare dinner. The kids came to our motor home (which Greg hadn’t seen yet) for supper. But not before they also went to Epcot and watched the fireworks there.

So ... dinner was a little late, it was after ten, but we enjoyed the time together and also had cake for Kimberly’s birthday.

All in all, we had two wonderful days with Greg and family.