WeLearnAsWeGo.com

there is a Saturday afternoon post that is missing … this happened on our trip across america sometimes too … I’ll see if I can find it ….

Sunday – Jan 10, 2010

Universal Orlando … here we come ..

so today was Bailey’s turn to pick the color of the t-shirts and of course …. she picked PINK ….

here are some of the pics from today … plus all the dirty details

the alarm went off at 7:00 … but …. everyone was still sleeping …. the irony is just CRAZY !!!!
if we were at home … Jordan would have been up by 6:00/6:30 and would have woke everyone else up too.
but not today …. I hit the snooze …. so then the alarm when off at 7:10 … and everyone was still snoozing …
so I hit the snooze again …. not it’s 7:18 … and my hubby has the good sense to get up and get moving and he reminds me that we have to be at the shuttle by 8:10 at the latest.

Ok … so …. there are 6 of us and getting everyone ready and out the door is one of my biggest irritations … and generally takes at least an hour but always MORE!!!!
so … we have less than an hour … and everyone is still asleep … and we need to get layered up … and everything together for a day in Universal.

the little 2 had “swam” in the tub last night … so I didn’t have to worry about giving them a bath … but I did need to lay out there clothes with lots and lots of layers.
Jordan was probably the warmest of us all … he had on thermals … then t-shirts and jeans … then his one-peice zip-up Spiderman outfit.
KK was pretty warm too … she had on tights with blue jeans … long sleeve shirts … sweatshirt … then t-shirt … plus her jacket
Bailey insisted I was wrong and that she was not going to be cold … (the I told you so came very soon after getting to the parks) …
I finally convinced her to put on a couple long sleeves under her t-shirt and at least take a jacket
We also had to get the teenager to wake up … and we stuck him in the shower in hopes of getting him awake and clean at the same time.
Not sure if he really got in or if he just let the water run while he slept on the toilet …LOL!!!!
I tried again to explain how cold it would be … but with him being so smart …. he didn’t even bring his heavy coat because I was not correct about it being cold in FL … ummmmm

I jumped in the shower but didn’t even bother to wash my hair … I knew I didn’t have time to dry it and I knew I would need to wear a hat to keep from freezing to death.

And … we should get an entry in Ripley’s Believe It or Not … because we were all dressed and in the van … pulling to the front to catch the shuttle … BEFORE 8:10.
We even remembered the camera and the tickets !!!!!

I’m not sure what the temperature has been today … because the van only says “ice” … I know it goes down to 30 degrees because we saw that yesterday …
but when we left this morning it said ICE … and when we got back in the car around 4:00 … it said ICE …. it has been freezing all day … in FL!!!!

Needless to say we did not get near anything with water … but we really didn’t have to worry about it … MOST of the rides were closed!!!
I couldn’t believe it!!! We have a 7 day pass … so I wasn’t all that concerned about it … but if I had paid regular price for a day pass … I would be highly upset.

Our shuttle left the hotel at 8:15 … and it only took a few minutes to get to Universal … but the park didn’t open until 9:00 … so … we had to wait around in the cold for quiet a while.
We did wander around in some shops to keep warm … but not a really great idea with 4 kids … there was stuff they REALLY wanted to buy in every store.

We decided we would head towards Islands of Adventure first … Bailey is finally tall enough to ride the Hulk and Jordan was ready to see Spiderman …
so we figured that was the best place to start … once inside … We took a quick detour to ride The Cat In the Hat so we could warm up for a few minutes … since it’s an inside ride!!!!

Then we headed towards the Marvel Comics area …but the Hulk was CLOSED!!!! they said it was too cold!!! …. this turned out to be the theme of the day …. Dr FearFall was also closed …

BUT … Spiderman was NOT!!!! …. it’s an inside ride and the wait was very short …. the little kids aren’t sure if they liked it or not … LOL!!!!
Let’s just say … I can’t convince them to ride it again … and their eyes were sooooo big during the ride … and they were really quick when it was time to exit the car

We walked all the way around Islands of Adventure … but most of it was closed because of the cold …. or would not be open till 11:00 … at this point it’s not even 10:00…
and we have been outside since at least 8:30 … and I had lost feeling in many parts of my body!!!
We made a quick stop at the Dinosaur Center … but they said they weren’t ready to open yet and ran us out (along with other peeps trying to keep warm) …
so we kept walking … and wandering around … and we ended up back at the Cat in the Hat again … so we rode again … and got nice and warm ….
And decided it was time to go to Universal Studios instead …. so we walked over there …

At Universal Studios …. we headed for the Shrek show …. then the Jimmy Neutron Ride … got our picture with Sponge Bob … and then headed to ride the Mummy.
FYI … it was still freezing …. people were bundled up and shivering in line … it is the total opposite of being here during the summer …

We did the child swap for the Mummy … KK and Jordan weren’t tall enough … but KK waited in line with me, Bailey, and Jessie … while Jordan and Jamie waited in the child swap room
Even in the building where you wait to get on the Mummy (an indoor roller coaster) it was cold and drafty.
When we got to the que for the ride … they guy was going to let KK ride … and she chicken out … or I should say freaked out … and started screaming …
I had to run and take her to the child swap room … after that long of a wait … I didn’t want the 3 off us to miss our chance to ride
It was probably a good thing .. but I was hoping to get her past some of her “fears” … at least Jordan got a little nap while he waited ….

By the time we waited in line for the Mummy …. and did the child swap … it was lunch time … plus we never did eat breakfast ….
so we decided to stop for lunch … I hate doing lunch in the parks … the food is yucky and cost a fortune!!! ….
but that was the only option we had today … of course, the kids thought the food was awesome … go figure
(I will take in groceries the rest of the week or eat at the hotel)

after a very long lunch break … remember you have to wait in line for the over-priced food too …. we headed to ride ET …
I think everyone enjoyed the ET ride … at one point … Jordan was holding on so tight … his knuckles were white!!!! …. probably traumatized another kid with our love of theme parks!!!!!

At this point …. we had to decide if we were ready to leave or not …. there are only 2 shuttles back to the hotel … one is at 3:30 and one is at 7:30 … and the park closes at 6:00 …
since it was so cold … and everyone had been such great sports about the weather and waiting in lines … we decided to end the day while everyone was still happy!!! (hard for me to leave early)

So we headed back to were the bus was to pick us up …. the little guys love that part too … with all the moving walk-ways and escalators … they think that’s part of the rides

We ended up being early for the bus but enjoyed waiting because the bus was warm!!!

Once we got back to the hotel … we took a quick tour of the welcome center for the hotel/resort/condo/whatever-you-call-it ….
the pool looks awesome … even a little water park for the kids … and YES … they did ask if they could get in …. they are tooooo crazy … of course I said no …
the play room no longer exist … but the signs do … so we spent a little time on a search for something that wasn’t really there
there is also a small game room … but I’m not into putting quarters into machines … so … with nothing around there to do …. we headed back to our room!!

Once in the room …. everyone wanted to get warm in the big tub …. so we had to take turns “swimming”!!!!

and that’s where we are now ….

everyone is warmed up again … and watching Sponge Bob on TV …

I made a shopping list for Jamie and he is taking Jordan and Bailey with him to grab some food for the room and maybe a few more hats and gloves for tomorrow

and I’m typing this up and trying to get my toes to thaw out!!!!

I think it is suppose to be warmer tomorrow and even warmer on Tuesday … so I”m sure our adventure will continue at a much faster pace!!!!

Morning of Saturday – January 9th 2010

Well … we put a few miles on the “mini-dutchman” last night …. and stop for a rest once we crossed into GA around midnight …

Getting all the kids out in the FREEZING weather and up to the room was a chilly experience …
BUT not near as exciting as trying to get everyone to sleep … or some of them back to sleep as the case may be!!!

Jordan had fallen asleep … so he felt that his couple hours were enough for the day and was ready to go … he found it all very exciting!!!!
PLUS … the room at 2 beds and a VERY small pull-out bed … so …. no one was happy about the sleeping conditions … but …. when on adventure …. you must roll with it …
We finally decided on on Jamie and Jessie in a bed …. Bailey and I in a bed … and Jordan and KK on the tiny bed …
(Jamie and I NEVER sleep apart … so I think he was the most unhappy about the situation)

Well … needless to say that never actually worked … I finally separated KK and Jordan …. and had KK get in bed with Bailey till I could get Jordan to settle down ..
Then I got back in the bed with Bailey … and needless to say KK would not get in the bed with Jordan ….
this is not surprising because KK is ALWAYS sneaking into my bed at night … so that fact that Bailey I were going to sleep in the same bed … well …
she decided that she was going to sleep with us too!!! … and the beds were not our spacious king bed like we have at home …

So … I didn’t get much rest … but I did spend plenty of time praying for peace and joy on our trip

In the morning … everyone was ready to hit the road again … we woke around 8:45 … and started getting everyone dressed …
the little guys insisted on taking a bath … new facilities … they are so funny … they thought the hotel room was just the coolest …
and thought the hotel bathroom was not to be left out of the adventure

Then it was on the road again … still have lots of miles to put behind us before we make it to Orlando ….

We made a quick detour around 10:30 … The Smallest Church in America
It was very cute … very pretty … and the kids enjoyed ringing the bell

Then for breakfast/lunch we stopped at Cracker Barrel so everyone could get their tummies full and stretch their legs again …
of course they needed to potty too … once again … Jordan found the facilities to be amazing …
and he is telling everyone that will listen that he is going to see Spider Man …

It’s Day 19 and we got on the road bright and early … The Captain woke early and started driving again … while the rest of us slept …. once again … we make really good time when we don’t actually “camp”.

We didn’t stop till late night. We finally crashed in a Wal*Mart Parking lot but the Captain was up early and couldn’t sleep so we were “hammer down and east bound” by 4:30 AM … my honey is crazy.
It was COLD last night … so I was happy when the Captain started driving and turned the heat on … we were at 12,000 ft …. I would call that “on top of a mountain” …. and it was much warmer with the heater on and the evaluation dropping.

Once everyone started rousing from sleep, the Captain said we could pick a campground to crash at for the day as soon as we crossed into Kansas … and that was harder than you would think … well … I wanted something family friendly … maybe a pool for the kids to swim … and full hooks up so we could shower and dump the tanks … since we had been “dry-camping” for the past 2 nights …

So … we crashed at KOA campground in Goodland early in the morning …at this point I was confused about what time it actually was … I think we crossed another time zone and it took my phone a few hours to catch up … so I’m not sure what time we actually landed at the KOA … but they were nice enough to let us check in early (and that’s were the niceness ended … I’ll explain more later) … I was thinking … Ok… KOA is everywhere … would be a good place to try … we haven’t really tried any “chain campgrounds” … and thought this would be a good time to check one out ….

They had a pool but we couldn’t swim until after 11:00 … so we got breakfast at the camper … the kids played on the playground … they were enjoying being able to run and play … and I worked on laundry … just 2 loads this morning … but great to get it done while we had a chance … this was a more exspensive laundry … $1.50 per washer … and $0.25 for every 10 minutes in the dryer … but everything worked and I was glad to have the 2 loads completed and put away … (fyi … I store the dirty clothes under the bed … so they are out of the way … but I just like knowing that everything is clean … you never know when we may need something that is dirty

SO … after breakfast, laundry and the playground … it was time to go swimming … we headed to the pool for some R&R … we played at the pool for a bit and Dancing Mermaid decided she wanted to play putt-putt … she had mentioned this earlier at the camper … but the manger was there … and acted like he didn’t want to do that right now … made some comment that he was hoping to get some breakfast … so I told him not to worry about us … we were fine .. we had plenty to do for now ….(I felt like he was busy and we were trying not to be bother-some) ….. I was shocked to learn that it cost $2 each to play … and there was really nothing to the course …. keep in mind that we have great mini-golf courses at the beach and you can play $5 to play all day … but I knew she really wanted to play when she offered to pay with her money … so … she headed to the office to pay and get our clubs … and the Captain went to put the little guys down for a nap … he also needed a nap after driving most of the night …

OK … so here is were things start to get stressful for me … people have been nice to us at every campground, Wal*Mart, rest area that we have stopped at or been too … the Park Rangers and bus drivers have all been very patient with the kids … other vacationers chatting with us … but you know … there is alway one sour-puss somewhere who just has to make things difficult … and today was that day … and the KOA manger/owner was the “one” ….

I really don’t know where to start … except to say that the manager seemed very busy and stressed …so we tried to stay out of his way … and now … back to putt-putting …. Dancing Mermaid said the lady in the office (his wife) told her not to play hole number 10 until she was done because it would take her ball) ….there were only 10 holes … so we played only the first 9 … and let me say that the putt-putt course was not well maintained … and was pretty sad but she and I were having some great one-on-one time … so I wasn’t focusing on any of that … just us having fun … so … we got to the end of the first 9 and decided to play again … around this time the guy comes by on his bike (which he was always doing … riding here and there .. unlocking the store then locking the store back … again … we felt like he was way busy so we just stayed out of his way) … and said that when we were done, could we leave the clubs at the front door of the store … again … I’m not thinking anything “bad” about his comment … just thinking they must have problems with the kids keeping the clubs … or taking them back to their campgrounds … or that they don’t have a lot of clubs and need to have them nearby when others want to play .. anyway .. I just let it go … later I realize that this was his way of hinting to me that we should put the clubs back …

We kept playing … and around this time a storm comes up … you know, we are in Kansas and we were keeping our eye out for a twister to touch down …. that would be a great story to add to our adventure … we almost saw one when we left Arches … anyway … it’s starting to rain and I don’t want to get struck by lightening while putt-putting … so we grabbed a game from the camper and head to the table in the laundry room to play a game or 2 of Sequence … again … she and I were enjoying our time while everyone else was resting in the camper ….

Shortly after finishing our second game of Sequence … the rain stopped and the storm seemed far enough way to go back and play again … since Dancing Mermaid had paid and gotten the clubs … I really didn’t have anything to do with the actually money transaction .. and was not aware that the putt-putt course had to be “turned on” … so … we realized that it had been turned off …and HONESTLY not thinking anything about it … I reached over and turned it back on … since I had felt like the manager was so stressed .. in my mind .. I was thinking …”why bother him with something so simple as turning the putt-putt back on” .. well … that didn’t go over so well … (oh … I guess now would be a good time to point out that he was foreign … and so he had a think accent and the broken english added a bit of humor to the situation …. but at the time … I didn’t think it funny) … so .. the owner comes out of the store saying … “you guys are just all over the place … I guess I need to put a pad-lock on everything” … so … in my mind …I’m thinking … “all over the place” … what is that suppose to mean … I paid to stay here … I’ve dropped at least $5 in the laundry so far … paid $4 t o play putt-putt … it’s not like we have bothered him … we have only giving him business … and I guess I should add … that at this point during the day … we were one of only a few campers in the park … so … I’m thinking … it’s probably no wise to talk to customers like this … especially when it doesn’t look like your business is flourishing … BUT … I say nothing … and he continues to talk and walks over and turns the putt-putt OFF … I am astonished .. but still try to keep the smile on my face and I say … “So … we can’t play?” … and he says … “play … it’s nice out” … not sure what all that was suppose to mean …

Well .. I’m trying to keep my cool and not let this mess up our day … and … we move to some holes that don’t require the electricity to be running …. and after a few minutes .. I say to Dancing Mermaid … “You know what … let’s start back at the beginning … we can work around this .. not going to let this bother us … we still have the World Championship of Putt-Putt to complete” … and we headed back to hole number one ….

Hole number one required electricity to turn one of the flaps (an obstacle …. I guess that’s what it would be called) …. Dancing Mermaid holds up the flap that won’t spin … and out he comes again … wanting to know what we are doing …. at this point … I’m starting to feel like we are being watched … I say that it stopped working after he came out the last time … not wanting to be confrontational or cause any more problems … I figure it is best not to argue with the obvious fact that he turned it off on us …. maybe he is psycho or split personality or something … but you know what is going on when you turn it off on someone … and now he says “next time … let me know you need help and I will help you .. I don’t like for people to do things themselves” … Ok .. I have several thoughts about that but I will let it go … I smile and say Thank YOU … and Dancing Mermaid and I start playing again ….

I’ll remind you at this point … that this is all happening pretty fast … everyone is still asleep in the camper …. so not a lot of time has past because naps don’t last more then 2 hours or some (give or take) …. and we are still having a great time and trying to let all this other stuff roll off our backs ….

So … we finish our game (remember … only 9 little holes … nothing much … just some little wooden boxes with fake grass on top … only takes a few minutes to play all 9) … the sun has come out again .. and it is hot!!! … we decide to go take a dip in the pool … I ask DM if she is done playing and she says maybe one more game after we swim … and I think that should work out just about right (time-wise) … and I was also thinking the little guys would probably like to play when they get up … so we head to the pool to cool off …. a fellow camper comes out to join us at the pool too … I don’t think Mr Happy realized other campers were at the pool or he probably wouldn’t have been so openly rude … but then again … you just never know ….

So … we are sitting at the pool … I’m sitting on the steps because the water is really cold and each time I have to work my nerve up to get back in … I’m chatting with the lady who has come to the pool … and Mr Happy starts heading towards the pool … already I know he is coming for us .. not sure what we have done this time … but I can feel it … the phone rings and he stops to answer it … and I continue talking with DM and the lady … Jikkal has actually wandered out of the camper and has come to see what we were up to … but has decided to head back to the camper … (but he could hear Mr Happy yelling at me on his way back to the camper)

And here is comes …. he says he can’t find the clubs we were using … and I say ….” oh! There right here … she wanted to play some more … just cooling off for a minute” … and he starts yelling at me … and I quote …

“You are being ridiculous .. you only pay $2 …. you take advantage” …. so with the smile plastered to my face … which is now red … because he is yelling and this lady is watching … I said … “if you want the clubs back … I will give them to you but your wife told her she could play as much as she wanted” ,… and he didn’t like that … he continues to tell me about how I am ridiculous and taking advantage … (I’m guessing he is still working on his English vocab … being a homeschool teacher … I was thinking I should give him a list of resources he could use to improve his “word bank” … and place for him to put them) …. He very rudely informed that YES! He wanted the clubs back, NOW! … So I handed them to him …. and he continues to fuss … and I very calmly said .. .OK … I gave you the clubs .. that’s enough … at which point … I just turned my back and walked back to my seat …. I’m thinking … he better be glad that he met this Tabitha because “BC Tabitha” would not have been sooo nice … maybe left a few flat tires when we broke camp …. but ???? …. thankfully he started back to the office … mumbling as he went … but at least he went (after living with a teen in such close quarters for the past few weeks … I can overlook mumbling

Of course, the lady at the pool was astonished … and when I sat down … she said she could not believe how rude he was … I was just glad someone else was there … 1) to witness it and 2) to keep me from saying or doing something I should not … I plan to inform KOA that their GoodLand Ambassador needs some lessons in “Southern Hospitality” …. not good for their name … needless to say … we will not be frequenting another KOA on this trip … maybe ever … but we were the hot topic at the pool that afternoon …

After all this excitement … we headed to the camper … everyone was waking up …. and we took showers and got ready to head into town …. we took our picture with the World’s Largest Easel … you can read about it http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9183 …. and attempted to go to the local museum but it was closed … our bad! … new time zone and we still didn’t have all the clocks right … next we headed to Pizza Hut for dinner … once again … not very happy people in these parts … but we got our bellies full and moved on … we made a pit-sop at Wal*Mat … and back to the campground …. the Captain thinks everyone here is mad because they are here and can’t figure out how to get out … I don’t know … just love laughing at his point of view …

The kids played on the playground again … met some friends … enjoyed the cool evening weather … could see a cloud forming in the distance … the wind is right brisk coming across these plains … we kept watching to see if a tornado formed … not that we wished that on anyone … just thought that would be fun to film … maybe end up on the weather channel with the Storm Chasers ….BUT … no such luck!!! I sat at the picnic table and worked on typing up all the details of the past days while the kids played … and enjoyed the cooler weather … I bit later … we got everyone in the camper and got everyone settled down for a good nights rest … the Captain plans to drive all the way across Kansas tomorrow ….

I took a few mnutes to look up some totally cheesy spots to stop and take photos .. trying to give the kids a break from educational stuff … I think this will be a fun drive tomorrow.

I think the Captain is as excited about getting out of Goodland as he was about getting out of California

Well … It’s almost 1:00AM on day 6 … Jamie is really wanting to push thru New Mexico … But after a late night last night … I’m not sure how much longer he can really go … He is already starting to tire and we are going to stop soon for a stretch … I just gave him another mountain dew and a honey bun … The food of road warriors across America …

As I was getting Jamie a honey bun … A can fell out of the cabinet and landed on Bailey’s head … She was not happy .. And I think she will have a knot there tomorrow … These beds are probably not made for sleeping while driving … or opening cabinets while in motiong … with dancing mermaids sleeping … my poor proncess … she always seems to get the worst of things

Ok … My ankles and lower legs are killing me … Not sure if it’s left overs from the crazy “virus” I had .. Or if it’s something I’m doing in the RV … How I’m sitting??? …. could be the way I’m climbing around this thing …. trying to accommodate every one … Anyway … May need to buy stock in Motrin!!!!

We have been watching the lightening storm in the distance … Very cool … Just glad it’s not on top of us … BUT the weather is much cooler right now … Little blessings are everywhere … just need to acknowledge them!!!!!

The youngest 3 are asleep and the rest of us are trucking across NM … Don’t really have a plan … Just playing it by ear …I figure everything thus far has worked out well (yep! that’s what I said .. and I really mean it) …. The next part will too!!! THe Big Man has got this covered!

I am having a great time … This is the biggest adventure I have ever been on … I went to Europe the summer before my senior year … And that was awesome … I will never forget all the cool stuff we did and saw .. However …

Doing this with 4 kids is HUGE … And I am loving every minute of it … Survivor/Man vs. Wild/ Bear Grylls/Big Brother/Real World … Have nothing on this … 6 people ….3 weeks … 1 RV … Limited funds … Come on people!!!! This is reality … Not reality TV …. Just all out …full throttle … adrenaline filled … sometime panic attacked … mostly high intensity ….. FAMILY FUN!!!!!

Well …. Better help the Captain navigate and decide where to stop for the night … Trying to get the the Petrified Forest and the Painter Dessert ASAP!!!!

Keep the prayers for safety and sanity coming … They are working

FYI … our odometer registers 1800 miles as of this post Wooohoooo the Stricklands are burning it down!!!