Round 1 of summer travel is over and round 2 is about to begin. For round 1, dd23 and I went to New Orleans to visit my sister and BIL. I haven't seen them in about 10 years, so it was a really nice visit. DD and I stayed in the French Quarter for 3 nights and then 3 nights at my sister's (she lives just across the river). It was a good balance, and gave DD and me some time alone (for crawling through the Quarter) and also gave us all a good visit. Flew back into Boston, stayed in York, ME to visit family for a bit (6/26-6/28... were we there at the same time,
@PollyannaMom ? ), then took DD home to CT and to help them clean their new apartment. Back to York on 6/30, DH took the bus from Bangor to Portland on 7/1, and we spent the day with our friends in the area (he was DH's grad school roommate- before me, lol- best man in our wedding... friends since 1984), then drove home that evening. BIG SIGH. Great trip, good to see everyone, good to be home.
On 7/19, DH and I leave for a 10 day trip. He and I haven't vacationed on our own since early 1993, just before DD was born, so IT'S TIME. DH had a horrible medical scare this winter, bone surgery in 12/9 followed by infection on 12/31, gangrene, 2 debridements, gastrocnemius flap reconstructive surgery (a week in the hospital) followed by 6 weeks, bedridden in a nursing home, praying the recon and grafting "took" so he didn't lose his leg AND getting 14 hours of antibiotics via PICC every day. It threw our entire lives into a spin, and made me realize that while being debt free (and i mean no credit card balance.. we have a small car loan, mortgage, etc) is wonderful, sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind and live for today. ANYHOW... on 7/19 we head to DC for 6 nights. WE'll do the touristy stuff, staying in Dupont Circle. Maybe go out to Mount Vernon, museums, Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol, nighttime monument tour, etc. On 7/25 we fly to Orlando for 2 nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge (savanna view), then 2 nights out in Cape Canaveral to visit DH's oldest friend. AKL is my birthday present to myself. I'll be 61 on 7/26. I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at AKL with a savanna view but can't justify the $$$ when we spend all our time in the parks. Well, this time I said the heck with it, and rented DVC points from an owner (so are paying $220 a night...). No park tickets, but I am stupidly excited about this. We'll have dinner on the 25th at Raglan Road (always wanted to try this but when you are only at WDW for 4-5 nights, we don't spend time at DS), then on my birthday I'll wake up with the giraffes!!! Brunch at Boma, dinner at California Grill with fireworks! Right now, my biggest decision is what to have for a birthday cake: Chocolate with peanut butter filling, or almond with amaretto mousse crunch filling?
I'm hoping the pastry team at the Contemporary make me a beautiful, surprise birthday cake. I haven't told DH about the cake- I figure, ONE of us should be surprised, right?? We have no big plans for our time at AKL other than meals and enjoying the resort... maybe take the Jiko/Boma culinary tour. Wanted to do the Jiko wine tasting but they are sold out. We also have no plans once we get to Cocoa Beach, except to hang out with our friend. I'm sure it'll all fly by, and home will look good by the time we get back!!
