It is an interesting trip when you take along someone in a wheelchair or scooter. I had rented Mom B a portable scooter in order for her to get around long distances like Disney or Epcot. You get to park in handicap parking, closer to the door(good thing). We rolled right into Epcot and had a beautiful day exploring all the different countries and riding a few of their rides. Even Mom B enjoyed the rides(but we had her skip Fast Track and Soarin!). We loved all the Christmas decorations and strolling past the Living Christmas tree concert. And Christmas dinner was in Mexico. We were getting the hang of the scooter thing until someone scooter jacked us. An elderly couple were given Mom's scooter by mistake by the staff in the restaurant when we parked it to go eat. Who knew that every key fits every scooter! After I just told my mom, "It will be fine. We can leave it here. No one is going to steal your scooter!" Little did I know! Scott tracked down the culprits(an elderly gentleman) and we were able to swap scooters and be on our way!
That was Friday. On Saturday we thought we would take our chances at Disney World. Tom and the kids got up early and drove the van over to the park. They had hit several rides before Mom and I were dressed and having breakfast. Then Mom and I took the hotel van over to the park. I had to locate the van and unload the scooter. But I drove it up to the entrance and loaded Mom onto it. Then we took the ferry to the front door and made it into the park before it closed again-filled to capacity! We entered just when a Christmas parade was coming by so we sat and enjoyed the show until the kids and Tom met up with us. Disney is so handicap friendly. Even though many people have taken advantage of the system in the past, they have altered some of the procedures and it was still very impressive. Allison downloaded fast passes on her phone so we could catch specific rides at certain times. Mom and our gang also received Fast Pass Plus which allowed all of us set times to board with mom along. She enjoyed The Haunted Mansion, The Jungle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh ride(twice), The People Mover, The Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the Tikki Room. Everything else was just too crowded or too fast paced. We had a wonderful day and Tom, Scott and Mom headed back to the hotel at dark. Allison and I stayed behind to catch the firework show and light parade as well as a few more rides. Sadly the Pirates ride was down. And we missed the 7 Dwarf Mine Ride(ran out of fast passes). But another wonderful day with perfect weather in the 80s!
On Sunday we packed up and stopped into Downtown Disney shopping plaza(now known as Disney Springs). It is a small shopping plaza with lots of restaurants, entertainment and condos on a small lake. We stopped into Ghiradelli for a hot chocolate and the Pin Store for Allison to swap Disney pins. She lucked out and bought a mystery package with Star Wars Pins! Luke and Leia! We also toured the Legos store. Then we were on our way to Venice. We stopped into Tom's parents house for a quick visit and to stroll around their community checking out the Christmas lights. Tom was staying with his parents, and we were at the Hampton Inn. I decided to get a suite for my mom and I so we could visit with the rest of the Bozyk family when they arrived. Dan and Sheila and their kids, and Dave and Sandra and their two boys were there on Sunday. We had a quick visit with Dave and Sandra, Chris and Nick on Sunday. On Monday we were busy getting ready for the service we had on Tuesday for my Dad. We also had a family outing to see the new Star Wars movie, and then take out Pizza Hut for our whole family back at the hotel.
On Weds, Dan and Dave's family headed out. Dave and Sandra decided to take their family to Disney before driving back to Houston. Dan and Sheila had to drop their daughter, Caroline off to the airport for a scheduled ski trip and decided to keep going. Before Dave and Sandra and their kids left, we met my Uncle Joe and Aunt Kathy for breakfast. They had driven all night to arrive in Venice at their rented condo so they could visit with us before we all left. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and visit with them, even looking through their son Ryan's wedding album(of which we were in many of the photos from last Sept!). After breakfast we stopped into Tom's parent's house. I took Mike on a bike tour down to the beach. We loved spotting the gopher tortoises along the route.
We then left Mike and Mom at the hotel with BBQ carry out as Tom and I, Scott and Allison, and Tom's sister Susan and husband John headed up to Tampa for a Tampa Bay Lightening Hockey game. We arrived a bit early so we had time to walk the Tampa River Walk and eat dinner outside on a patio at a nearby restaurant. Later we discovered that the Arena has a large patio with food trucks and tables as well as several stages and live bands providing entertainment. The hockey game was incredible, even though Tampa Bay lost to the NY Rangers. We were especially impressed with the light show from the Tesla coil in the roof shooting out lightning bolts. We'll have to go back and spend more time visiting the Tampa area-lots to see and do.
On Thursday we met up with my Uncle Joe and Aunt Kathy at their rented condo, only about 20 mins away from Tom's parents. They have rented their place for the past several years and share their street with many retired Michiganders hunkering down in the South over the winter months. Tom, Mom, Mike and I and the kids stopped in for an afternoon visit on New Year's Eve after lunch with Tom's parents. I gave Mike and Mom a tour before lunch of Tom's parent's beautiful new Community Hall and Pool in their retirement community of which Tom's Dad was responsible for its being built. At Joe and Kathy's we were treated to an afternoon of kayaking and paddle boarding. Tom stayed at the condo with mom while we headed out to a nearby park on Lemon Bay. Scott had his first experience paddle boarding while Allison, Mike and I kayaked. Allison and I were treated to a SeaWorld experience with a show by the local dolphins as they swam around our kayaks and did flips in the air! What an amazing day! Afterwards we headed to Susan and John's house for a New Year's celebration. Sadly, we watched our poor MSU football team get spanked in their Fiesta bowl game. But we did enjoy putting together our yearly puzzle with Tom's Dad that evening. And Thanks to Susan and John for being such wonderful hosts!
On New Year's Day we were packed up and headed out to Busch Gardens in Tampa. (You should have seen my well packed van!). Tom and his Dad went out and bought a top car carrier for suitcases and a rack for the hitch to haul the scooter. We spent a beautiful New Year's Day at Busch Gardens and sent Mike on his way to the airport in the afternoon via taxi. Then it was off to Happy Hour at our hotel with dinner from our favorite Taco Bus(as featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives). Then we hit the road on Saturday-bumper to bumper traffic all the way to South Carolina. On Sunday we detoured in VA to the eastern shore to drop off Allison at school. She was taking a winter class and was not sure if she had to be at school or not since it was an online course. Better safe than sorry. Plus it gave us a chance to give Mom B a quick drive by tour of Salisbury U and drop in on Allison's condo. Then back home and dropping Mom off at her apt.
Christmas at Disney!
Magic Kingdom
Sunset at Nokomis Beach
Gopher Tortoise
Tampa Bay Lightning Game w/ Susan and John
Allison and Mike in kayaks
New Year's Eve party with Mom S, Gus dog and Mike
Visit to Busch Gardens
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