h20skibum

News from the home front about our golfing grandson. I forgot to mention that his team won all of their golf scrambles. Yesterday, he was in a golf tournament, and placed first in the 14 and under group (he is still 10 for the next month and a half) I looked at the scores, and he shot lower than everyone in the 17 and under also, including all the girls grouping. It was only a 9 hole tournament, but his 31 was outstanding.

This is not a lighthouse, nor is it a lighthouse cookie. Or, maybe it is.

Sadly, the light show has not been running while we have been here. I would have liked to seen it.

We are back for another day at USF and IOA. I thought this was a neat little optical trick that some may not know about. If anyone watched the first Harry Potter movie, he had to walk through a brick wall at Kings Crossing to get to platform 9 3/4. Grandson and Susan both walk thru the wall. IMG_8464.mp4

I had big hopes of setting a good example of food choices today, for my grandson. Then lunch happened with this. and this. ok, there is still hope at supper. But this caught my eye. and Susan joined in with her own good choice. ok, he can have one too. I guess we can try again tomorrow.

Looks like another beautiful morning for the parks today. Last night’s dinner was at Mythos It has a very interesting interior. Started off with a potion of the gods Supper was Pad Thai Grandson was selected for the show in Ollivander’s Wand Shop, and this was the wand that selected him. It definitely helped that we watched the first two Harry Potter movies before we came. It made it easier to understand all the things we were seeing, knowing the story line. I can’t believe how many fans (not characters) were walking around in Harry Potter robes in this heat. Although, I must say, the heat and humidity hasn’t been too bad. Today, back to the parks for more.

We have two park passes for the days we are here, plus we have the unlimited express passes for the days we are here. It all came with some special Harry Potter package through the hotel. This was delivered to our house a couple weeks before we left. We have an hour early access to IOA this week. This was the line ahead of us at 7:43 am. and the line behind us. Once in, the crowds thinned Actually done quite a lot at both parks so far. Grandson trying to be eaten by Jaws. Time for pool time at the hotel before dinner.

Best I can do for a sunrise this morning.

we actually get two super moons this month. Another at the end of August.

what it looks like at our hotel

To all those cruising and planning family vacations at other parks, have a great time.

I think this trip will be a nice wind down to our Summer of Fun 3. Thank you for the anniversary wishes. Thank you for the anniversary wishes. I hope you are keeping notes on what to do with your granddaughter. Thank you for the wishes. I hope we see many more. Thank you, Andrew. Oh, we will be overloaded with fun on this anniversary. Thank you. I think the only thing left from our last time is ET and the Jaws shark.

Thanks. It will be interesting doing it with one of the grandkids. Last time we were here, our kids were his age. We plan to take a daily pool break, then go back to the parks. We have dinner reserved at the Chocolate Emporium one of our nights. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. Portofino Bay is nice. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. Thank you. I hope to have a few pictures Thanks for the anniversary wishes. We have early access to IOA, so we will be up early. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. @Ozark_Kid we have unlimited express passes to both parks for our stay. Hope it helps some.

This will be our hotel for the week. (Photo from Condè Nast Traveler)

Tomorrow, Susan and I will celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary. Since our grandson has been here the last few years, during our anniversary, we haven’t done anything special. This year, Susan told me she had something special planned. She started dropping hints. About sweating; about making me exhausted; about showing me something new! That’s right, we fly to Orlando today to spend the week at Universal Studios Florida and the Islands of Adventure. Sweating ✔️ Exhausted ✔️ Something new ✔️ I mean, it has been almost 30 years since we were at USF, so there is plenty new. That is also why we have been gearing up the last few days for the Harry Potter experience. Our grandson is excited, and has already been writing about it in his journal for the summer.

Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Enjoy!

That looks very interesting.

Yesterday, we tried out a new experience for the kids. Three guesses what it was. When we were getting ready to go, I grabbed a few props and put them on. When my grandson saw them, he wanted to put them on. I guess that anyone in the know, knows that tomorrow is Harry Potter’s birthday. Now me, I know nothing of it. Never read the books, nor have I watched any of the movies. But I guess the grandkids know something of the wizarding world, because they have owls and wands. So last night we went to a themed dinner celebrating Harry’s birthday. No one in our group wore official costume, but I think we were the only ones in the place that didn’t. Evidently there are some serious fans out there. They had a couple characters dressed as Harry and I guess it is one of his friends (like I said, I know nothing of the movies) I guess this is Potter drink and food. My one grandson swears that butter beer is the best, so I tried it out. Shepard’s pie And a cupcake. Everyone received a mini wand favor and a chocolate quidditch ball The kids seemed to enjoy themselves. Today, SYFY has a Harry Potter movie marathon, so maybe I will get to watch one of the movies to see what they are about.

Exactly! I have been known to have on some questionable attire during the quest. Unfortunately, there are photos and videos of me on a video that Royal Caribbean made that would keep me from ever running for elected office.

That was my thought when I saw the shadow.

Last night, we were in our hotel room, and the movie CATS came on. The kids started screaming, Turn it, Tun it!!! It’s too scary. So I guess they will never watch it on a ship either. A Sorento’s tasting pizza for supper. At least the indoor pool was a nice way to beat the heat. Morning swim is underway, but we have to check out in a couple hours. There is more fun to be had today.

Thanks for taking us along. Interested in your take on the short cruises, doing B2B Safe travels.

Thank you, @Sea Dog Greg, @dani negreanu Dani, and @grapau27 Graham. Hoping today is a good day for them.

Yesterday was a quiet day for us, but we did find some time for bike riding. Since football season is almost here, granddaughter’s cheerleading squad was giving a preview of their new routines at the school. Today is my daughter and her husband’s 16th anniversary. She has an appointment at Cleveland Clinic, then they will have some couple time while we entertain all the grandkids today and tonight. Swimming is our main activity for the day. Hope everyone has a great day today.

Yes it is still there, although we got fries from some other spots. I seems like a few rides have been closed the couple times we were there this year. We plan to go back the second week of August, and take all the grandkids. Will see if some of those same rides are still closed. It has been nice since the park has not been crowded.