I’ll go back to eating properly tomorrow. Right now, I am in Walt Disney World and I want a Mickey-shaped treat!
Category Archives: Florida
Glimpse of the giant anteater
The giant anteater in The Oasis is often not viewable. He does value his privacy, so it’s a rare opportunity when he deigns to make an appearance.
Frazier Crane – Flights of Wonder
A beautiful crowned crane swooped low over our heads just after striking this pose at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
View from Disney’s Yak and Yeti
We have the table directly above the prayer tree out front of the Yak and Yeti restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Flamingos around Discovery Island
There were several new babies in the group but they were shy and hanging back.
A pillar of orchids
We are at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, making our leisurely way toward Asia and lunch. We found orchids blooming in a tree, towering over The Oasis.
Our view at Disney’s Saratoga Sorings Resort
We are preparing to check out. I glanced out the window and saw the Downtown Disney balloon ride coming in for a landing. Too cool!
Cold morning, hot springs
Steam rises off the swimming pool at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. It’s only 39 degrees F this morning in Lake Buena Vista – BRRRR!
Morning stroll at Disney’s Saratoga Springs
It feels even colder this morning than it did yesterday, but I am determined to see some of this resort on foot before we have to check out. Onward!
Longawalka Disney
It is not a short walk from out rooms at Saratoga Springs, but it’s a pretty one.
Bibbity bobbity ball gown
Cinderella and her prince, preceded by the Fairy Godmother in the parade at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Hitching a ride in the Magic Kingdom
Mary Poppins and Burt hitch a ride with Aladdin’s genie in the afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom.
Catching the parade as we exit Magic Kingdom
We are headed to the Boardwalk for dinner – taking in the parade as we make out way out to the bus stops.
Hollow, so not as bad as all that
The view from the Swiss Family Tree House
Haven’t been up here in a while. Unfortunately, there is no place to "pull over" and enjoy these views of the Magic Kingdom, but we can quickly snap a photo to savor later on.
Yo ho, yo ho!
Heading into Pirates if the Caribbean with the niece.
Ain’t no one getting thrown in de briar patch today
Splash Mountain is under rehad – perhaps it is being rid I it’s uniquely pungent odor? Hope springs – or splashes – eternal.
One of my Disney weaknesses
Pretzels are one of my guilty pleasures while visiting a Disney park. Now that they are shaped like Mickey, they are even more of a must-do.
Ariel and the Beast’s castle
The way Disney has laid out the new section of Fantasyland reminds me a bit of Disneyland Paris. That park features dueling castles too; the castle of Alice in Wonderland’s Red Queen looms over the rear of the Paris park in a similar manner to that of the Beast’s castle here in Orlando.
There’s no one QUITE like Gaston…
Next door to Be Our Guest, where there is a horrific line to get in, is Gaston’s Tavern. Love the bronze effigy of him in the fountain out front – what a comical touch, especially when his theme song begins to play in the tiny courtyard. Too cool!
Main Street USA refurb continues
I suppose I should be thankful that the bakery at the Magic Kingdom is being refurbished – removes temptation! However, they are noticeably still pumping "Eau Du Baked Goods" onto the sidewalk out front.
The Walt Disney World Rail Road
Disney is now scanning paper tickets by hand with what looks like an iPhone! As soon as I passed the ticket scanners, the Walt Disney World Rail Road pulled into Main Street Station with a clang and a bang and a woo-woo of the whistle. Yes, the sky really IS that shade of blue today 🙂
A fountain view at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
I snapped this shot while walking to the bus stop from my room. It’s a beautiful if brisk morning at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. I am headed to the Magic Kingdom, where I will visit the newest section of Fantasyland.
The rest of the family is moving even more slowly than I am, and I am not sure what time I will meet them or where.
The bus is here now – let’s go!
Donald Duck at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
G’morning, everyone. Spotted our pal Donald Duck while out for a brisk walk this morning at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, and I do mean brisk! It’s only 45 degrees in Orlando at the moment. Definitely sweatshirt weather! Now for some coffee – will check in with you again later on!
Today’s adventure: what’s better than having a brother with more DVC points than God?
Today’s adventure: what’s better than having a brother with more DVC points than God?, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
Answer: not much 😉 I just checked into Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort
for the weekend. Chez Bro and da fam are already at EPCOT. We’ll take a
detour to Downtown Disney to lunch with some friends and then catch up with
them in the afternoon. Lets go!
Chefs de France in Eepcot
Earlier, before we were seated, the whole Chefs de France staff came running and applauded wildly around a particular table. A Cast Member told me, "She said yes!" Awww!
The new Boulangerie Patissierie
"Work rushes in to fill a void" and "If you build it, they will come" both come to mind. What used to be a hole in the wall with a handful of tables is now a BOOMING eatery in EPCOT’s France.
Morocco through the tangerines
We are wandering th World showcase!
New trains in EPCOT’s Germany
Very modern locomotives have popped up in EPCOT’s Germany.
A school of whales at EPCOT!?!
We saw a disturbance in the lagoon approaching World Showcase Plaza. It turned out to be a formation of these large catfish/carp, heading together toward the bridge to the Odyssey side.
The fountain show at EPCOT
The breeze is mild, so the Fountain of Nations is not getting us too wet. What a beautiful afternoon in EPCOT!
BBQ chicken salad from Pucks Express
Found my friends, found my food !
Honoring CREW volunteers
CREW’s management honored a selection of their volunteers for their dedication to the cause and to the trails. After some goodie bags were awarded, they all posed for a few photos. Congratulations and well done, all of you – and thanks you to CREW for a lovely evening.
The full wolf moon
I looked it up on my Farmer’s Almanac app – it’s the moon that the wolves howled at, also known as the Old Moon. It sure did illuminate the path back to the parking lot – quite nicely!
The marsh overlook
There’s a strange phenomenon at the overlook. A wall of warm envelops you, until you lean over the railing. Suddenly, you’re hit with a layer of cool air. My friend Linda wisely observed that cooler air sinks, so this phenomenon is entirely expected.
Sunset at the CREW Marsh Trails
The day goes down in flames behind the pines, but we have a night of enjoyment stretched before us.
Tonight’s adventure: wine and cheese under the stars
As a member if CREW – Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed – I was invited to a wine and cheese party this evening under the stars and the Full Wolf Moon. Fun and nature geek friends shall ensue. lets go!
Six Mile Cypress Slough – it’s for the birds!
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I’ve been trying to make it a point to get to the Six Mile Cypress Slough at least once a week during the cooler months. So far, I’m three for three (weeks, that is!). This past Friday, I actually remembered to bring my camera with me, so I was able to avail myself of some optical zoom, which certainly helps when you’re trying to photograph things that will cut and run – or, more accurately, FLY – if you get too close.
As I entered the gated portion of the boardwalk, I was pleased to note how much water there was in the slough. Just last week, parts of the swamp were mere mud puddles. Due to nearly four days of gray skies and rain last week, pretty unusual for December, the slough is nicely recharged. Walking through this section, I heard this little guy before I saw him – a downy woodpecker was pecking his way up and down and all around the branch of a tree. He’s fast! Hard to catch him before he ducks around the other side.
This majestic great egret stood his ground, even when I inadvertently spooked a group of ibis and they fluttered all around him. I was on my way to one of the viewing pavilions, where I saw this next fellow…
This male anhinga has been on the same branch in the same corner of the same pond for the last three weeks in a row. I think that’s “his” branch. He’d probably be annoyed if he ever found someone squatting on it. Also on this pond, but too far away to photograph – two turtles, a black-crowned night heron, a baby gator about a foot long, and another anhinga sleeping with his head all tucked in. Back down the boardwalk and off in the bushes, I was able to capture this fellow…
I could barely see him in the branches – he’s well-camouflaged! I believe this is a juvenile black-crowned night heron. There were a few of these guys hanging out here several weeks ago.
Well, those are the best of the bunch for this week. It’s quite a thrill every time I get to hang out with these guys 🙂
Late autumn in Southwest Florida – paradise!
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What a beautiful time of year it is to live in Southwest Florida!
The summer can be unforgiving – the heat and humidity are relentless, the rain is capricious, and there is always the threat of a hurricane or two hanging over our collective heads.
However, as October melts into November, a kinder, gentler Southwest Florida emerges. Blue skies and refreshing breezes reign in the late autumn and early winter days. It’s a little cooler, a little drier, and much more enjoyable. It’s time to take it outside in Southwest Florida – let’s go!
I got a call earlier in the week from friends who were going to take a boat out of Fort Myers Beach, and did I want to come along? You bet I did! We did a leisurely tour through Matanzas Pass and Ostego Bay, then emerged into the Gulf via Big Carlos Pass, near Lovers Key. That’s the bridge over Big Carlos, behind us (above).
We decided to head for Nervous Nellie’s in Fort Myers Beach after our excursion. The town is all done up for Christmas. As a native New Yorker, it still gives me the giggles to see Christmas decorations juxtaposed against palm trees and blue skies.
Here I am, enjoying royal status for about three minutes – Princess Without A Country 😉 You will find this over-sized bench with the cutout near the gazebo beside Nervous Nellie’s, should you have a princess you’d like to photograph.
At Moss Marine, I saw this egret standing on a post and took aim with the camera. I saw the pelican come in for a landing behind him, but did not see the little shore bird on the post in front of him until I got the picture up on the computer screen later on.
A closer look at the egret – handsome fellow, isn’t he?
The sun was setting as I crossed back over Matanzas Pass and made my way toward Summerlin. I decided to take a side trip before heading back to Lehigh, and made my way to Bunche Beach Preserve, where I saw this little blue heron hunting for his supper.
The little blue wasn’t the only one looking for dinner – pelicans and an egret hunted as well. A misty glow enveloped the Sanibel Causeway in the distance – one of those scenes that makes your heart go “ahhh!”
The sky is streaked in Creamsicle shades as the sun descends upon Sanibel’s east end.
A side trip to the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve the next day yielded the delight of finding a cute little two-foot gator sunning himself in the vegetation along the banks of the gator lake. He would not be the last gator I would see this week!
Saturday found me at the C.R.E.W. Bird Rookery Swamp, where I would participate in a geocaching event. It was a glorious day to be tramping around in the cypress swamp’s wide trails. Here’s a balsam pear we found growing wild alongside the path. It’s a relative of the cucumber.
I haven’t identified this moth yet, but I liked the angle of his upper wings against the lower “tail” part of his flying apparatus.
It’s that time of year, when the beautiful but destructive lubbers turn into lovers. These grasshoppers go through several colorful stages before they reach the cooked-lobster hue you see here.
See? Told ya there would be another gator! Actually, there were two, on opposing sides of the path, but the other one was a bit too far away to get a decent shot. I’d say they were about 4 feet or so. We observed them for a while and when we were ready to move on, they quite agreeably slunk into the swamp and let us pass unmolested.
So that was my post-Thanksgiving week. How was yours?
Scenes from South Beach
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My friend Debbie, who is a travel agent, was invited to a “Let’s Do Lunch” event by Norwegian Cruise Line. Her original partner in crime for this excursion decided to leave town for Thanksgiving week (young love had something to do with it!), so Debbie asked – did I want to ride shotgun? You bet I did! The trip involved staying overnight in Miami and and being aboard the Norwegian EPIC in the morning for a tour of the ship and lunch in one of their dining rooms. Since I’d never been to Miami before, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. Are you ready for some fun? Let’s go!
Our first order of business after fighting our way through Friday evening Miami traffic over to Miami Beach was to find a place to eat. We knew NOTHING about the area, beyond where our hotel was, and that the famed South Beach neighborhood was out there, somewhere. So we asked Siri (who lives in my iPhone) to send us to South Beach, and she did. As we were driving around, we saw this funky little street, all lit up like Christmas, with lots of sidewalk seating and pedestrian traffic.
After driving around a bit more, we decided to head back to the funky little street, find some parking, and see what we could find for dinner in that area. The name of the street was Espanola Way, and it was even more delightful on foot than it had been from the car.
The name of the restaurant on the corner sparked a memory; I’d read about Havana 1957 before, and I was certain it had been a good review. We stopped to look at the menu, and ended up being seated at a table inside. It was pleasantly dark and cool inside, with lots of ambient Cuban music wafting from… somewhere. Back in time, perhaps? I kept expecting “Ricky Ricardo” to step out of the shadows, crooning a tune. 😉
We’d arrived during “happy hour” and soon had a pair of mojitos on the table, along with a bucket of plantain chips. The menu was reasonably priced and not too complicated to make a decision. The servers were attentive. Drinkable water arrived at our table unbidden, served from a frosty-cold retro green bottle. The chef actually stopped by our table at one point to see how we were getting on. The food arrived super quick!
My dinner was the house special: “a family traditional roasted chicken in our delicious (it was!) Cuban gravy, served with white rice, black beans, salad, and sweet plantains”. I ended up wishing my stomach was double the size, just so I could keep on eating!
Here’s Debbie’s dinner: “shrimp sauteed in garlic, olive oil, and white wine. Served with white rice and sweet plantains.” She was just as pleased with her meal as I was with my own.
After dinner, we rolled ourselves away from the table and out the door to take a stroll up Espanola Way. There are lots and lots of cafes and restaurants, in addition to shops and art.
One of the jewels of Espanola Way is the Clay Hotel, which has a unique story in the history of South Beach. I can totally picture coming back here at some point and spending time at this hotel. It’s only a few blocks to walk to the beach from here, and fabulous cuisine is just steps from the door.
When we got to the end of Espanola Way, I looked back to take in the scene. Yes, I will definitely be coming back this way, some day 🙂
NEXT TIME: the hotel we actually DID stay in!
The colors of autumn… in FLORIDA?!?!??
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The weather has definitely broken into fall here in Southwest Florida, and that means the delight of being able to exert one’s self outdoors without risking heat stroke and/or coming home dripping wet.
This is an awesome time of year for hiking and exploring in Florida’s parks and preserves. One of my favorites, in part because it is so close to where I live, is Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. The slough is a sacred place, where water moves at a snail’s pace and all manner of flora and fauna grow and thrive. I see something new every time I go there. It never gets old.
Due to the heavy concentration of cypress trees in the Slough, it’s a great place to witness the colors of autumn. Yes, you heard me. Bet you didn’t know that the trees change color and shed their leaves even here in Florida. Well, it’s true! I’ll show you. Ready for a walk? Let’s go!
Let’s play a game. Can you “Spot The Gator”? He was about a four-footer, just catching some sun in the shallows right alongside the boardwalk. Some little kids came by and I put my finger to my lips. They froze and conspired with me, silently tip-toeing over to see what I was pointing at. How excited they were to see their first gator, so close!
I took my leave of the children and soon came to my favorite place to “sit down in the woods and wait”. As many times as I’ve sat here before, I never noticed this…
See that skinny little tree over there? It’s holding on to the handrail!
Or maybe it has grown a tongue, which now laps at the boardwalk. How odd and beautiful it is, all at once.
I then noticed something else about the little tree – it seems to be growing out of another tree, of a different species!
See? The little tree is a cypress, and the “host” seems to be an oak of some sort.
Further along the boardwalk, I saw the situation in reverse – a slender oak is growing out of a cypress tree.
This cypress tree is very tall compared to the little oak.
In the autumn, when the leaves start to wither and die and fall away, a number of things change in the swamp. Leaves falling into the water decompose, turning the water a deep reddish brown with tannins. This decomposing matter settles around the roots of the trees, and makes a great growing medium for little acorns and seeds. This is why it looks like one species is “growing out of” the other – it isn’t really, it’s just using the growing medium trapped there against the mature tree. Another thing that happens is that more sunlight can penetrate the swamp forest. The middle story of the forest opens up too, after the vines start to wither and fall away. The result is a better-lit, cleared away space where one can see the hidden infrastructure of the swamp. I walk through here frequently, and never see so many windfalls as I do when I come through after the leaves have had a chance to fall and the vines have withered and died away.
There are a few red maple trees in the swamp, and they provide for a riot of red here and there. Here’s one along the boardwalk close to the amphitheater.
Here’s a young cypress just dripping in autumnal gold. See? Who says we don’t get fall colors down this way!
A few resistors struggle to maintain their greenery nearby. Who can say why some are so ready to shed, while others hold on to the bitter end?
There are two varieties of cypress here, and they are relatively easy to tell apart – I just keep forgetting which is which! I made sure to bring home photographs of both this time, so I’d be able to look them up and learn this once and for all. This is a pond cypress. The needles are close to the stem and sometimes give the impression of spiraling around it.
And this is a bald cypress. The leaves are flatly fanned out from the stem. There. Now you know the difference, too. 😉
A visit to the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
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In celebration of the Florida Panther Festival here in Southwest Florida, I participated in a field trip on Friday 11/09/2012 at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge in Collier County, Florida. Last year, I hiked the Bird Rookery at CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed); this year, I went a little further afield. The excursion came in two parts. First, we rode along the firebreaks in a swamp buggy, learning about maintenance efforts that keep the habitat in good shape for the Florida panther’s food chain. Then, we took to the trails on foot, exploring “the clubhouse” and back-country areas that are only seen by the public perhaps twice a year. The cell phone signal was spotty, sometimes working great but other times dismal or completely absent, so I did not attempt to mobile blog the adventure. Are you ready to explore? Let’s go!
Our leaders for the field trip were several members of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife team who maintain this refuge as well as Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, also located in Collier County. There were two swamp buggies, each of which could seat 6 or 7 participants, and about 24 people showed up. Therefore, we were split into two groups. One group hiked while the other group rode, and then we made a rendezvous and swapped places. I was in the first buggy group with my friends Charles and Vicki Wright who run Everglades Area Tours in Chokoloskee, FL, and Jacquie Roecker, hiking buddy extraordinaire and sole proprietor of Nature’s Voice Photography in Naples, FL. Jacquie and I do these things together on purpose, but stumbling across Charles and Vicki was a pleasant surprise.
The buggies would stop along the way so the rangers could point out efforts to control overgrowth, invasive exotics, and habitat diversity. They talked with us about herbicides, fire, and hydrology. It’s been an okay summer rainy season here in Lee County, but further south there has been disappointment. They’re just not getting the rain that they should, and man’s efforts to control flooding has resulted in a complex canal system that often diverts water from where it is needed and carries it away to where it’s not. I snapped the above photo while standing on a dock out back of the “clubhouse” that should have been under water. If freshwater wetlands do not receive sufficient water in the forms of sheet flow and rainfall, then they cannot properly support the life forms that depend upon it for habitat and food.
I’ve mentioned “the clubhouse” twice now. It’s an accessible-access wooden structure, screened in, which is intended to someday house an environmental education program about the refuge in general, and specifically about orchids. The failure or success of orchids growing in the swamp is monitored closely, and with great interest. Orchids are an “indicator species” for a Florida swamp; if your habitat has them, then your habitat must be doing pretty well. A lack of them growing where they are supposed to be could indicate that environmental conditions are not right, or perhaps another species is hogging all the resources.
Every now and then, while prowling through panther country, you come across something like this. Panthers like to use a fallen log as a scratching post. The fallen log happens to be alongside a footpath or firebreak trail that is used by humans. It doesn’t matter to the panther. Panthers like to use the trails because they will be unencumbered in their travels by understory plants. In addition to stretching and sharpening their claws on a log, panthers just plain like to play with such things, biting and wrestling and rolling it around. But how do we know that panthers like to do these things while no one is watching?
Someone IS watching! The location of such logs is the perfect spot to install both video and still cameras. In this manner, wildlife can be observed without being disturbed at the presence of people. In addition to capturing the antics of panthers, these cameras pick up the activities of other wildlife on the preserve such as the black bear, the white-tailed deer, bobcats, and raccoons. The rangers mentioned that lately, there is evidence of coyotes moving into the refuge. I’d love to be the person who gets to review the footage 🙂
Once the field trip was over, we filled out evaluation forms and took a quick turn through the newly built greenhouse, where different plant experiments were in various stages of being conducted. I snapped the above photo at pond near where we had all parked. There’s allegedly a one-legged alligator lurking in there. If there was one bee on these wildflowers, there were a billion! Jacquie and I had each packed a lunch, so we dragged our beach chairs out of our cars and sat in the shade of some ginormous live oaks dripping with epiphyte air plants, ferns, and Spanish moss. One of the refuge interns joined us and we all enjoyed being with our “tribe” for some lively discussion. I drove home contentedly, and felt the wild desire to nap when I got back to the house. An early start and lots of fresh air will do that to a person 😉
Autumn morning walk in the Calusa Nature Center
Calusa Nature Center – perfect morning for a walk in the flatwoods and the swamp. It’s pretty close to where I live, and I had other errands to run this morning, so why not stop by instead of passing by? Plus, we have that extra hour in the morning now that we “fell back” on Sunday, and I was a bundle of energy because of that. Let’s go!
A couple of rehabilitating gators were sunning themselves near their watering hole.
The American beauty berry is in a full riot of fruit.
Parts of the swamp are already drying up and becoming lined with fallen leaves.
Dahoon holly trees are heavy with fruit in the cypress swamp and along the pine loop trail
Something has raked this tree. Gashes look too wide for it to be a bear or a bobcat. Not sure how this happened!
A closer look at the mystery gashes.
Still water in the cypress swamp, and since the berries are popping and the leaves are falling, there are lots of feeding little birdies visible and audible here.
A new little tree struggles to bring itself up beside the boardwalk. I predict a relocation of one or the other!
I have found a lot of things while out walking that other people lost. But I never thought someone could lose their face..
Disappointing
Cassia in bloom
Cabbage palm regeneraging – not sure if the folded-up-ness is normal, as I’ve never seen one do this before!
Leaving Disney, but not Orlando
On the road headed toward Universal for a few hours with the family before I head home.
Leaving so soon?
Yes – I want to get past I-4 before afternoon drive-time starts I have an early class in the morning, so waiting till after drive time is not an option this time. It’s been a swell visit, Orlando – see ya real soon!
It’s my brother’s birthday
My youngest brother, aka Chez Bro, always makes sure he is in Orlando for his birthday.
Single Rider, that’s me
Wel,l not today, but through life. I sometimes write about that at TheSingleRider.com
Spider-Man non-3-D
What Spider-Man at islands o Adventure looks like without 3-D glasses.
Look, Universal has one too!
Look, another service dog sign. Why have I never seen these signs before? After all the times I have been to these parks, one would think I’d have run across them dozens of times!
Now entering Islands of Adventure
The family got ahead of me – I stopped at Starbucks!
Moonrise over World Showcase
It’s a pretty night at the Food and Wine Festival. I wonder if all the crazies will come out to EPCOT tonight?
An old French classic
I haven’t had a Napoleon in years. It was time – and it is still awesome 🙂
More eating on EPCOT
I took the monorail back and my first stop is Ireland. The Fisherman’s pie is flavorful but the Meade honey wine is HELLA sweet. I like it ok enough to finish it, but not ok enough to go back for more.
Heading out of Magic Kingdom
The family will dine at California Grill, thn don costumes and boogie back to Magic Kingdom for Mi key’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. I am going back to EPCOT to get in some Moshe’s around the world.
Please curb your dog… in the Magic Kingdom!
I guess the service dogs need to go SOMEWHERE. The area was clean when we passed by.
Music time
We love the Be Our Guest section of Mickey’s Philharmagic.
A visit with that Wendy creature
The nerve if her, going after Peter and then requiring a rescue! So glad she went back to her OWN life.
Riverboat drive-by
On our way to Frontierland
Prison break in the Magic Kingdom
Enormously talented doggie!
Employee of the month in Adventureland
Someday I just want to loiter in line and laugh at all the signs
The circle of life
Warning! Artificial depiction of the cruelty of nature LOL
Aloha goodness in the Magic Kingdom
No I did not succumb. I asked one to pose and it was happy to comply.
LIVE from a rocking chair on Main Street USA
The family was slow-pokey this morning so I departed for Magic Kingdom ahead of them. Looks like its gonna be a killer crowd today! It’s nippy out, so I am lucky to have a rocker in the sun 🙂
Magic Kingdom Day!
I think my brother made a strategic error in declaring today a Magic Kingdom day – lots if crowds pouring into the park.
Icon of the evening
Primary reason to stay at an EPCOT resort
Grand Marinier slushie – inspired !
One of the most inspired offerings of the World Showcase – Grand Marinier slushie with a shot!
Oh c’mon EPCOT!
It’s not even Halloween yet! At the Port of Entry shop.
Swan sunset
As the sun sets beside the Swan resort, I sit on our balcony and contemplate what to do with my evening. I passed on Party For The Senses because I just can’t do two days in a row of bad-for-you food. But I do need to drink to a friend’s birthday so I will probably venture forth one more time before the evening is through.
Dolphin down! Dolphin down!
Notice anything "off" about this picture? I am guessing that the wind was sending water everywhere, so they shut off the massive fountain at the Dolphin resort.
I searched all day for a pretzel
I could not find a pretzel at the Animal Kingdom. Everyone was fresh out. I had resigned myself to a knotless fate, and then I found THIS pretzel on the Boardwalk. Worth the wait
It’s not nice to poach
More than just wild animals can be poached. In my neck of the woods, they poach saw palmetto berries !
Head characters from UP!
I supposed they have been around for a while, but I’ve never seen them in the parks before. Spotted right next to the entrance to It’s Tough To Be A Bug.
A tale of two tigers
On the one hand, I am grateful for the opportunity to see actual tigers. On the other hand, they’ve got to be SO bored in there.
Paying my respects
What would a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom be without a visit with the goddess in the garden?
Strutting his stuff
This beautifully colored peacock came right up to the fence, curious to view the humans on display on the other side 😉
Just batty in there
Bats are pollinators! Some of them drink flower nectar, just like bees. Other bats eat fruit and spread the seeds around which helps more plants to grow.
Dragon lost his head
The Komodo dragon is sleeping on his rock in the background. I imagine the cooler weather makes him a bit sluggish.
Icons of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
I am very hungry today in the Animal Kingdom. I am taking a circuitous route to Asia for a salad.
More white food than I’ve seen in forever – Disney’s 3D Dessert Discovery
More white food than I’ve seen in forever – Disney’s 3D Dessert Discovery, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
3D Dessert party at EPCOT
There’s a live band and they are playing confection-inspired ditties such as "Peppermint Twist"
Disney’s Dessert Discovery “3D”
We have our bracelets and we ave our 3D glasses. We are ready to rock some serious caloric intake. My brother is da bomb.
Twilight descends upon the World Showcase
It’s getting spooky, what with the dramatic skies and high winds. We are off to a Food and Wine Festival treat….
Mysterious Morocco
Twilight creates the most magical silhouettes
Rainbow over America
Please and thank you!
Lobstah roll and Sistah Hazel
The American Adventure (Advenchah?) holds wonders! Oh and that’s a Sam Adams Cherry Wheat beeah.
Pit stop in Japan
I needed to slow down the wine sampling a little so I took a turn through the Japan merchandise area. Still very windy, but delightfully so. I may go in search of a Mickey-on-a-stick !
Mahi Mahi from the Singapore kiosk at EPCOT
The fish and rice are citrusy and flavorful. I am told by the Cast Member serving that the wine is French, and that there is a large French colony in Singapore. It’s a bit on the sweet side for me. I am holed up an an alcove under the terrace in Japan – the wind from Hurricane Sandy’s outer bands has really picked up and there’s some shelter to be had back here.
Re-living New Zealand at EPCOT
I liked the scallops so much, I came back for them three weeks later. The family is at Chefs De France, but I prefer to graze. What shall I have next?
Big bubbly at EPCOT
I think his would make a terrific framed poster, don’t you?
All in the family at EPCOT
It is odd to think of jack-o-lanterns being related to watermelons – but after all, they are both carved into beautiful works of food sculpture, so why not?
This is what Food and Wine Festival is all about
Wine and chocolate – that’s what I’m talking about!
Vodka tasting at the EPCOT Festival Center
Breckenridge vodka – nice amount of fire going down, clean after-taste.
Walt wisdom
Love all the refurb signs with pearls from Walt. This is near Electric Umbrella.
I would like to live here, please
Imagine if you could always see the sky from inside the house! It would be like living in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Oops, wrong park!
Lunch? Why yes, yes I think I might
The filet looks REALLY good and it has been a long time since I’ve had read meat….
Cottage-envy at EPCOT
We love this little cottage in O Canada – I want them to rent it to me for just one night!
A Universal delicacy
I didn’t know pizza had legs yuk yuk yuk
About to be swallowed by Alice Cooper
It was freaky in there!
Halloween Horror Nights
We’re going in. No don’t try to stop us!
Universal IOA tower at sunset
The colors are ten times better than a phone can capture <3