Resting

Vacation got off to a poor start, as you can read in the previous post. In addition to that, the first house we were put in was within maybe 500 yards of the local dump, so the outside smelled pretty bad. When we were inside the house, we noticed an additional smell which gave me a headache and put off my wife. We had to stay the night (having arrived after midnight), but additional issues we found that night and upon waking (broken closet doors, stains on the sheets, inadequate supplies, inadequate internet provisions, improperly or inadequately cleaned bathrooms, etc.) had us contacting the housing broker and getting moved from that house to a new one. The caveat being that the new house was only available for some of the vacation, and she have to move us again on Friday. Anything was better than staying in a place that literally gave me a splitting headache, let alone smelled so horrible, so we took it.

After that rocky start, the vacation has turned out to be just what the doctor ordered... nearly literally. Being in FL has been, so far, very restful and relaxing.

We are with two other couples, close friends. Between the six of us, we have two vehicles. So, pretty much everyone can come and go as needed. Or, as I took advantage once, stay behind and do nothing!

Group highlights so far:
Sunday: We started with a trip to Disney's Downtown Disney section, where we ate and did some shopping. It was fun, but tiring on my feet and knees for as long as we were moving around. We ate at a place called Ragland Road, an Irish pub/restaurant that was very good (but pricey).

Monday: Sea World was next. Last year we didn't get to go because the same day we were preparing to leave, the news suddenly announced half the park was closed because one of the killer whales had killed a trainer. This year, no such thing happened, and we spent a very nice day there. It is a great place to visit; lots of touchy-feely exhibits (rays are so smooth they almost feel slimy), interesting shows, and nice exhibits.

Tuesday: Shopping day for four of the vacationers, while two of us went to putt-putt at Congo River on the I192. Two courses, both challenging and fun, with a lot of variety in obstacles and elevations on most of the holes. Lot's of fun. As the shoppers weren't done and back, the two of us then spent a pleasant afternoon reading and talking.

Wednesday: M had to go to church, and she and I wanted to do some shopping for our house, so the other four went to Disney World proper (M and I didn't want to go). She and I tried a new church, with a great priest, and she did the Ash Wednesday thing. We then did some light shopping, found and ordered our new deck chairs and tables, and just had a nice day together. Our friends will probably not be back until well after 9pm, as that is when the park closes for the day. They are pretty much visiting from opening until closing!

Not sure what the rest of the vacation will bring; Thursday is supposed to have thunderstorms, so we may find some indoor activities to do (maybe a new movie or a game night?), Friday involves the move from one house to another, and Saturday is M's church. We still have some plans to go to a few restaurants that we don't have available in Canada, and M "needs" to do more shopping. I'd like to replace my current tennis shoes with new ones. Outside of that, I think I may see some more long reading sessions by the pool in our future.

One set of friends leaves on Saturday and the other set leaves on Monday, with us following suit on Tuesday. M has Wednesday off to recover, but I have to hit my contract again hard and fast, as the next deadline is exactly two weeks from that Wednesday for a document that hasn't even been created. I'll probably feel like another vacation by the time this contract is up!