Let the Rain and Cold Begin

After a breakfast at the hotel, we were on the road by 7:15 a.m.  It was 70 degrees and cloudy.  We were glad to get through Chattanooga and the mountains in the daylight.  Last time through it was dark.  As we were driving through Chattanooga, we could see that they had received a lot of rain.  We saw a RV sales lot where the campers were up to their doors in water,  Don't purchase a RV from Chattanooga.  We also saw ramp closed because the end was covered with water.

The drive through Nashville was much more pleasurable this time around.  At 9:30 a.m. The traffic was light and there were no jams.  Shortly after that it began to rain and with each mile north, it rained harder.  We could see that the entire area had received a lot of rain.  Not only did it rain but the temperature began to drop.  When we stopped for lunch in Frankfurt, the temperature was 40 and when you add the rain, it felt even colder. We were not prepared for that.   Kara's family dug out the winter coats.

We jumped off the interstate at Salem to take our old familiar road from Salem to Decatur.  Again, we could see all the water standing in the fields and the creeks and rivers out of their banks.  It didn't get much better as we got nearer to Decatur.   We stopped at Macon to let Hunter get back into his family's car.  We got home at 4:30.  We could see from our backyard that we had standing water.  According to the weather Decatur had received over three inches with more to come.  We unloaded; I began laundry; and we went to pick up Sandy.  As usual, she was so excited to get home.  Now our family vacation is officially over.  We are all at home with many good memories.

Capitol dome in Nashville

Nashville skyline

Driving into the rain

Before the storm there was a moon 

Goodbye Mickey Mouse

We were sad to leave but had to head home.  We packed up and were on the road by 9:00.  It was a day of driving north.  Sometimes we drove the speed limit of 70 and when we hit road construction, we would creep along at 20 MPH.  Nine hours later we pulled into an Holiday Inn Express at Calhoun, Georgia.  Our original reservation of a king bed was upgraded to a king bed with a suite because our room wasn't ready when we checked in.  It is nice to stretch out and relax in such a big area.

After Kara and family checked in, we went to a Hardee's for supper.  There I managed to create a big laugh and memory for the family by falling off the bench I was sitting on.  I was sitting on the end and I had a "senior moment" and forgot how close I was to the end of the bench.  I wanted to slide down to give Hunter more room and slid on to the floor.  I landed on my elbow and bloodied it a bit all the while, all who saw the spectical were rolling in laughter.  My milkshake and glasses flew on the floor, as well. Mom always tries to make sure everyone is having a good time.  I keep saying we are making memories so this will be another special one.  As they were laughing, they did pick me up and clean up the milkshake.   What a great way to end the day.  Tomorrow we should make it home.  The arrival time will be determined by the flow of traffic.

Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs - Merry Christmas

Today is our last day.  We are all sad but are determined to make the most of it.  Carol, Hunter, and I got up early to go to The Magic Kingdom to ride one ride...Space Mountain!  The park opened at 7:00 and even though we got there at 7:45, it was already packed.  We learned later that the park closed to anyone else coming in after 11:00 that morning.  It was a foggy morning so we stopped for a picture of Cinderella's Castle in the fog.  Hunter loved Space Mountain and wants to conquer all the "mountains" at Disney World.

This is what Cinderella's
Castle looks like at 8:00 a.m. on a foggy morning.

This is were Space Mointain is located.

Hunter always wanted to sit alone but sometimes that wasn't possible.

Hunter took this picture.  Don't we look tired?

Our first view of The Animal Kingdom

An employee took this picture of us at the Animal Kingdom.

Can you tell how crowded it is even at 8:00 in the morning?

After we got back French Quarter, we dropped Hunter off and headed to The Animal Kingdom.  This was the first time Carol and I had been there.  We really enjoyed it and wished we could have spent more time.  We took a safari jeep to see lots of animals and ate lunch at a food bazaar like you would see in Africa.  

We met Kara and family at 1:00 so we could all ride a water ride.  It was a big inner tube in which 10-12 people can ride.  The innertube is sent down a river, around curves and over small drops.  The sign says "You will get wet."  Keegan didn't want to ride but papaw took control and convinced him to ride.  While we were waiting in line, a lady came from the ride and gave Keegan a poncho she had worn to keep herself dry.  We considered that a gift from God and covered Keegan up to keep him dry.  We all climbed in, the innertube took off down the river and the first big drop, everyone but Keegan got soaked.  Keegan began to cry but since there was no place to go except on, he finished the ride.  He tells us he will not ever ride it again!

After that Hunter and I rode the Everest Expedition which is a giant roller coaster which goes backwards part of the time.  It was so much fun.  Hunter says he has conquered all the great mountain rides in the part.  He is an accomplished roller coaster rider.  We parted company because Carol and I had supper reservations Paradiso 37 in Disney Springs.

We had to change from our wet clothes and took a bus to the Springs.  It was sooooo packed that you could hardly walk.  We found the restaurant.  The food was decent but it was a metal building and the noise inside was very loud.  We couldn't even talk to each other.  We planned to meet Kara and family and John and family so we could say our final goodbyes.  Our first mistake was our choice of meeting place.   It was right by an outdoor stage where loud (and I do mean loud) music was played.   The second mistake was not taking into account the size of the crowds.  We were not able to meet at our chosen time.   We waited and waited for John and family while our ears were being bombarded with the music.  Finally, Kara and family needed to eat so they left and after John got there, we said our goodbyes, we left, too.  We took a boat back to the resort.  It was a much needed peaceful and quiet ride.

Tomorrow, we head home.  We are all sad.  It has been a wonderful week.  Today, my feet finally gave out which was another reason we had to leave early from Disney Springs.  I was able to push through the tiredness and pain but today I gave into it.  When we got back to the room, I discovered a big blister on one foot.  No matter, it was so painful.  It was worth the pain and tiredness to spend this week together.

Do you see the lion?  On the other side of this rock in a crevice was the female.
He is enjoying a nap in the sunshine.

This tree is called the "upside down tree" because it looks like the roots are at the top.

An elephant hiding in the brush.

Ostrich eggs.

Crocodiles  enjoying the sun.

A better view of an "upside down" tree.

A termite hill.  

This was our mode of transportation through the wildlife area.

Look at the horns on their animals.

Several giraffes.

The "Tree of Life."  How many animals can you spot in the trunk?

This was the entrance to the market area in which we ate lunch.  This was in the African area of the park

A close up of the trunk of the Tree of Life.

The garden area outside our building.

We were in line for the River Ride in the Asia area.  Keegan didn't want to ride it, but Papaw convinced him to do it.  As we were in line a lady came off the ride and asked if we wanted her poncho so we put it on Keegan to keep him dry  It worked.  It kept him dry but it didn't keep him from crying when we went over the first fall and water came pouring into the boat.  Everyone but Keegan got soaked!

Animal Kingdom (like every other park) was decorated for  Christmas.  I loved the wreaths in the windows.

Some of the groups that performed at the Animal Kingdom

Hippos enjoying the water.

The boys loved the Lego Store at Disney  Springs.  Snow White and Bashful are made out of Legos.  There was a huge water serpent in the water by the store that was made of Legos as well.

If you wanted, you could take a hot air balloon ride.

Hollywood Studios

We got a late start today.  We left for Hollywood Studios at 11:00.  We shopped the main streets where I purchased my first souvenir.  It was a charm for my bracelet.  We met John and family for lunch at the 50's Prime Time Cafe.  It was set up like a 50's kitchen.  There were several small rooms with 3-4 tables in each.  There were black and white TVs in each room all showing shows like Father Knows Best, the Dick Van Dyke Show, Topper, and, of course, The Mickey Mouse Club Show.   The servers were fabulous and funny reminding us of things our parents would tell us like "Keep your elbows off the table."  To top it all, the food was plentiful and delicious.  They served common food like fried chicken, meatloaf and pot roast.  I would definitely eat here again.

After lunch we met Kara and family to ride Toy Story Mania.  Everyone rode (even Keegan) and had fun.  We had pictures taken with Mickey Mouse.  Then we split up with each person doing what interested them.  There was Star Wars for Hunter, Frozen for Katie and Aidan, and Disney Junior for Keegan.  We all saw the Indiana Jones Stunt Show together.  Again, each family went separately but met at Pizza Planet for supper at 6:30.   Finally, we all walked through the Osborne Family Christmas Lights.  What a wonderful way to end our family day at Hollywood Studios.  The buildings on the street were covered with thousands and thousands of lights all flashing in synchronization with Christmas music.  It is sad that this is the last year for this Christmas tradition.  Next year the display with be Star Wars themed.  Out with the old and in with the new.  This year we experienced Christmas Eve like we used to do when the kids were at home except we did not attend a Christmas Eve service.  We always attended Christmas Eve service, ate pizza for supper and then drove around looking at Christmas lights.  Our little family of four has expanded to ten but it was good to share in our traditional Christmas Eve traditions.

After the light display, Kara and family went back to their resort and John and family and us watched Fantasmic which is a light and fireworks display with Micky as the star.  When it was over, Carol and I went back to our room but John and family stayed for one more light show.  It was another long day but it was good that we were all together.

This was the last year for this light display.  We are so glad we got to experience it.

It was quite an experience to walk through the display.  The lights above and on the buildings would flash to music.  At one point Meinhein Steamroller music was playing.  It was awesome,

Crowds at Hollywood Studio.  Nothing to do but keep on pushing through the crowds.

Inside the room in which we ate at the 50's Prime Time Restaurant.  I think Father Knows Best is playing on the TV.

Katie standing in a "dinosaur footprint."  The dinosaur was in the water nearby

Getting ready to ride "Toy Story  Mania" a great favorite with the grandkids.

Not sure what kind of creature Keegan had but he wanted me to take a picture of it and him.

A final picture of the light display