Anita Latte

I haven’t stayed in any hotels here nor has any family so I don’t really have a recommendation…I could talk about location more than anything.
 

Like most towns along I95 there are several hotel near/at the Hwy 50/Cheney Hwy exit…most of the major hotel brands are there. Franchise restaurants are all around this area and access to major driving routes. These hotels are likely catering to road trip people but also some tourists. There’s a Crate and Barrel right there on the hotel side…some people are big fans of that. Ease of travel with a car is a big factor in their appeal though they are all decent representations of their brands from outward appearances.

There’s a new Marriott right on the Intracoastal waterway and I think a H brand (Hyatt or Hilton) is nearby but I think they are much pricier. The Courtyard has a water view for sure with a rooftop restaurant that can be popular, but it’s only available for guests when there’s a launch. Will there be a launch while you’re here? These hotels are right on Hwy 1 so easy drivability again but there’s not much retail right there. That area is more commercial with major employers are right there, and I think those hotels are catering to business travelers more.
 

There are the typical local motels as well and these seem to be located more in historic downtown but more in the part that’s a couple blocks down from the center…these are old but well maintained enough looking but if I didn’t know the area, I might feel less comfortable staying in them. I think they’re safe enough but I’m just saying that if you arrive past daylight, might not feel so to a tourist. There are more motels that are on Washington/Hwy 1 that are more away from downtown, and these might feel a bit more small town and kitschy but also feel a bit safer to someone unfamiliar.
 

There’s quite a few AirBnBs…and if you’re wondering about any of those locations I could help you. It all depends on who you’re traveling with and what your plans are. If you have hotels you’re debating, that might help me help you more, let you know how well it would fit into your plans.

Edited to add…the biggest difference between Titusville and Cocoa Beach is that Titusville is not as touristy…we are more residential and working with major employers in the Space Industry and more nature oriented, conservation type attractions and space oriented attractions whereas Cocoa Beach is a very touristy beach town. 

Just now, slidergirl said:

I like doing tours of local things!   I have some of my local things on my list to get done.

Have you done a visit down to the Melbourne Zoo?  I heard it's actually a fun zoo with active things, like kayaking through places and has a good restaurant.

I have not done a zoo since we lived in Wichita. The Sedgwick County Zoo was amazing and when DS was in his second year (around 18 months)…we were members of the zoo and literally went 3-4X a week. Kayaking at a zoo could be really interesting…I’m going to look that up.

@awhfyI looked up the troll...what a FUN thing!

I'm continuing with my own local touring on the weekends. I just bought a 2-hour tour for the Cape Canaveral lighthouse this weekend! They seem to only offer the shorter weekend tour every other month...the longer and more expensive tour is during the week...I'm really just interested in the lighthouse at this point. I can't imagine you haven't seen it yourself Melody...did you work at Cape Canaveral or Patrick? You know they are Space Force Bases now?

Back in London...

It's GRADUATION DAY!!

I'd like to first share that there was literally no information that I could EVER find about graduation. Even after several inquires...and pestering DS to try to get info...they just didn't HAVE any...I think because they literally don't plan for it until so much closer to the date. There is no consideration at all for those of us who would be traveling internationally. When I made all our London travel arrangements, I was basically praying and hoping that graduation would land sometime during the visit. Historically...it had happened on the Tuesday following the last day of the semester...so I figured it would be today...but past performance is never a guarantee of future and so...I made plans with some degree of certainty but I was happy when DS said he finally got the info about graduation in JUNE.

What an amazing graduation it was!!

We had a clue as to how different it could be when we attended DS's high school graduation because that was a conservatory graduation as well...but it was just the high school graduates at that off site ceremony. This...THIS felt like we were partaking in a ceremony that could be called a rite...this was TRADITION on steroids.

The ceremony took place in Freemasons' Hall:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasons'_Hall,_London

The interior is absolutely stunning. The temple is huge...many many floors...many many grand staircases...gorgeous stained glass....ornate ceilings...

It created lovely backdrops for photos but with only a camera phone with me...the backlighting was rough...nevertheless...here's DS's in his graduation robe...

Everything was a rental...we needed to check in quite early so that he could be fitted for his cap and gown. But it is more accurate to call it a robe. No front closer. No real sleeves...it's like a droopy shouldered sleeveless robe...so whatever you are wearing shows quite clearly, unlike the graduation gowns that I wore which completely covered your outfit and made everyone look alike.

We always say that DS got a double dose because DH and I know how to sweat LOL...and so DS was wanting to wear something as lightweight as possible, so he was wearing a short sleeved button down and dress slacks. 

Graduation was technically at 11 am but we needed to be there a couple hours early for the whole robe situation. Each graduate was only allowed a maximum 2 attendees. DH and I had to have our tickets and be checked off a list.

Because we had to be there so early...and plan our tube rides and walking to our destination...we didn't have breakfast prior to arrival. There was supposed to be a cafe on the premises and we figured we would make life easy and just have a bite to eat there. We had been doing a bit of meet and greet with a few parents of DS's friends...but caffeine was calling and there was talk of others having had the same thought about the cafe and so he headed down to it to beat any rush.

The cafe seating area was quite large and we took over a table where a long bench had multiple-tables...and as I had hoped with that selection...when the other composer friends and families came down to the cafe...we took over all the tables and all the composers were having a grand time and we were able to chat more with other parents. It was a good call socially...even if the food was lacking.

Soon enough it was time to head into the Grand Temple. I immediately started taking photographs and was immediately told that photographs were NOT ALLOWED in the Grand Temple. The temple is like a room oriented in "the round" where seating on all four walls faces toward the middle. There is a main entrance and there was a small podium at the end of that aisle along with chairs obviously intended as a stage sort of setting. We were sitting on the side where the undergraduates would be seated:

View from my seat looking forward:

A bit of my overhead view:

The organ was playing as people were being seated. It continued to play introductory music. Then a brass ensemble played. Then the processional happened where all the Professors, Principal and HRH (Her Royal Highness) The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO (Dame Grand Cross) entered. The ceremony was so much more than a graduation ceremony, though it did present recipients of Undergraduate Awards and Postgraduate Awards. There were also recipients of Fellowship (FRAM) and Honorary Fellowship (Hon FRAM) of the Royal Academy of Music...

For these John Suchet OBE was the orator. He would call each recipient forward and they would come stand in the center aisle and face him while he basically read a bio about them and their achievements that warranted them to have earned their FRAM or Hon FRAM. There were 7 such recipients this year...the most known one, judging from the reaction of the crowd was Jacob Collier. 

Similarly...There were also recipients of Honorary Membership (Hon RAM) of the Royal Academy of Music, of which there are always 300 living at any given time...or something to that effect. And again, Suchet had a prepared bio for each recipient, of which there were 5...and again just judging from the reaction of the crowd...Jamie Cullum and Beverley Knight MBE were 2 of the better known recipients.

There was also one Honorary Doctorate given...to James Newton Howard, who among other things is a film composer of over 100 films with such a diversity I'm having a hard time picking any to name...but I will say all the Hunger Games and Emily in Paris, because that seems to show a great range. He was also something of a key note speaker giving a wonderful, extremely entertaining speech. 

There were also Outstanding Studentship Awards given in multiple categories...these are a secret only revealed at the ceremony so they are a surprise to everyone.

Not a single piece of paper was given during the ceremony. Supposedly, we will receive DS's degree, which is a Bachelor of Music in composition, in the mail. And I've learned...as this is a newer degree...it is NOT referred to by the letters only like a BS or BA are...so we're not talking about a BM...it's shortened to BMus...pronounced Bee-Muhs. Kinda freaky that they are going to MAIL his degree but whatever... HRH shook EVERYONE'S hand. For the graduates, they were called forward in groups of 7...and they would line up in the aisle...and all their names were called in order without pause as they walked forward to shake HRH's hand and then proceed back to their seats as the next group of 7 came forward.

All in all, it was a very engaging ceremony and while it was probably a couple hours long...it didn't FEEL long. 

There was a glass of sparkling wine for EVERYONE after the ceremony. As we exited the Grand Temple into the outer areas...there were servers with trays working through the crowd and also side tables set up...and so there was a lot of toasting and chatting and congratulations going on. It was exceedingly crowded...so not really time for pictures...and it was also quite warm and so the crowd made their way outside to the front steps...

Sadly, the front of Freemasons' Hall was undergoing some renovation and so it wasn't a lovely spot for pictures. But this is the family one we got:

Here is my plum dress! It's sleeveless...and this is a knit blazer that I picked up several years ago from Anthropologie. It's a bit on the bulky side for packing and travel because it is sweater knit like...but that also makes it great for travel because it doesn't wrinkle and it is very comfortable. It wasn't too hot because it is so breathable. The scarf is one of my faves...I got sunburned at Wimbledon and so I figured that when I did get warm and took off my blazer...the scarf could help with coverage. Not pictured are the same white sneakers that I wore to Wimbledon. I had been paying attention to footwear with all my people watching and as I said before...almost everyone was wearing trainers, no matter what they were wearing. Others were similarly shod at the ceremony...the "nicest" shoes I noticed were ones that looked like Clarks to me...which again are geared more for comfort than fancy dress. 

I live in Titusville and I would say that if you have a car, if the hotels are much cheaper here, then I would stay in Titusville. Idk what your plans are but there is SO MUCH to do here all along the Space Coast…you may not go to Cocoa Beach at all. Let me know if you have any other questions…I’m happy to help if I can.

5 minutes ago, MississippiMom said:

Yes, we would like to see glaciers, but (people might freak out when they read this next part) do we really need to spend THAT much time staring at them?  It seems like every time someone is on this board asking for itinerary recommendations, the "you must go to Glacier Bay" pops up, but, maybe, that's not the most important part of that family's priorities. 

I want to know more about the different port stops and the port excursions.  This former Northern Exposure viewer and The Proposal watcher can't help but really want a Sitka stop.

@MississippiMom I agree with you wholeheartedly. You have to begin wherever you do with your planning. When we took our AK cruise, it wasn’t anything we had researched out at all…I was just looking and found an affordable option with a cruise line we had cruised on before and I didn’t look anywhere else because I like and know the ship we sailed.  I didn’t worry about whether or not we had the best itinerary etc., DH and I sat there and looked at our hotel points and airline miles and other travel rewards to figure out that we could actually go. I agree that the important thing is to go and just make a trip that makes yourself happy…not worrying about if it’s the best in the eyes of anyone else.

People have definite Glacier Bay love…but as with anything, I’ve read about foggy days and no one being able to see much of anything. People are like that with the railroad in Skagway. There are many things people consider must do…as if anything in AK is a must do for everyone. GOING is the must IMO.

I love your reason for wanting to stop in Sitka! Lol…I’ll share that the first time we went to Disney’s Animal Kingdom DS was most excited to see naked mole rats…that’s like the first thing we did after getting a fast pass. It was because we were big Kim Possible fans…he was thrilled. To each their own kwim?

Apologies to the OP… not meaning to hijack your thread if it feels that way.

I am very confused by your planning... Are you saying that you are planning to do a pre cruise tour up in Alaska but are considering a cruise departure port of Seattle? That seems very odd to me. I get wanting to just let someone else do the planning and so please don't misunderstand that my questioning has anything to do with doing a cruise tour...it completely has to do with the logistics. It just seems very odd to me to think about that almost 4 hour flight back to Seattle...

I think a lot of time is wasted doing the RT Seattle. It's basically like being out to sea to get to Sitka. IDK how the viewing is and I know that you run the risk of rough seas. The port stop in Victoria feels like a big why bother and I hear about many people just staying on the ship when they have that late night 4 hour stop. Also the other port times seem to be a bit short...

The downside on the one way is that FWD cabin. We had a FWD cabin on our one way from Vancouver to Seward and from Hubbard to Seward was a ROUGH day. DH is prone to motion sickness and so we sent him down to a lower deck midship to escape the packing chore that day because he was not doing so well at all. 

Depending on the time of year...I have read about the risk of not being able to get into Disenchantment Bay to have a closer view of Hubbard. IDK if that ship would offer a smaller boat excursion that would have a better chance. ALSO...your time in Juneau may be long enough to do the Adventure Bound day cruise which I've heard many good things about, which would be another way to have some glacier viewing. ALSO...if you leave from Seward and depending on your timing there, like if you have enough time there...there are several Kenai Fjords cruises available that will go out for some glacier viewing...or other excursions that can get you closer to glaciers.

But are glaciers a big motivation for you? It could all depend on what it is you are really hoping to see while you are there. 

I like the whimsical option too. 

I have a jewelry roll that I've had FOREVER. Seriously, I think I got it when I was in high school... It's quite simple. It's about as large as a piece of paper...give or take...and it only has two pockets. One has a zipper and the other is open. I also have smaller little bags and I generally put my jewelry into those and then bundle them all together in that roll.

I was trying to find something similar because you could definitely put your statement necklaces in my jewelry roll. The closest thing I could find was this one:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228862912/personalized-jewelry-rolltravel-jewelry?click_key=93b9b3bb47a4afce7e1550145068de0d6917db52%3A228862912&click_sum=2f308105&ref=shop_home_active_3&pro=1&sts=1

It has three pockets...so not sure about whether or not your necklaces would fit, but I wonder if they would make you a custom one with only two? If the size of the pockets was too small. 

Margaret I don't have a restaurant app for London. I didn't use one. We didn't make a signal reservation...I just used my Map apps to find local places if I needed too...but we weren't having a very planned vacation. DS was kinda sorta in charge on several days and a lot of our plans were made in the moment or just the night before...

I wrote this post a few years ago. I haven’t been but the one time to ISP and I think there are updates to what you can do in the port area but I believe my description still holds true. Hope you find it helpful.

So I took a look at the Toad&Co website and interestingly enough...they actually have a resale section! So if needs change or size changes, they have created a resale market for their brand.

So the funny thing about the sash on my dress is that it is same fabric...I look terrible in a belt. I'm also somewhat short waisted...like my waist is right under my rib cage...and then a high hip...so belts are bad...but the attached ties on my dress...it just added a bit of interest there and what I especially liked is that I could tie it off center...and that just did a little something something that I thought looked nice. Even though I have little space between my ribs and hips...I find that I need something that slims that area...anything tenting from the bust line just adds unnecessary pounds. Margaret and Laurie, you both wear a shift dress style really well but that looks terrible on me...I do much better with fit and flare or A-line. I think you both have slimmer lowers than I do...My uppers and lowers are almost the exact same measurement.

@neeuqdrazil I'm back in Florida now...I would have loved to give that breakfast a go. I'll tell DS about it...he's still there.

I just bought his airfare for leaving the UK. I'm happy to see him again and have him be home for a while before the next chapter...but I'm kind of sad too. These 4 years have not been at all what I thought they might be and now that chapter is closing. There were things that I thought would have happened for me too that haven't...his graduation is just a milestone in time and again time has passed and things I thought would have come to pass haven't. This makes me sad too...

Melody...where in Hawaii are your plans? I know you've seen the damage on Maui...so incredibly sad.

We currently have no vacation plans on the horizon...it's time to try to vacation in place. We did go to a museum last weekend. The visiting exhibit was gorgeous. I loved the patterns created by the light shining through the dimensional art...it reinforced my personal desire to have what I've thought of as Moroccan light fixtures for a couple areas of our home...especially in what I call the yoga room. 

https://www.mennellomuseum.org/exhibitions/

This weekend I'm taking DH to a nearby dark spot to try to watch the Perseid meteor shower. I just learned about this yesterday...and I found this article to be very informative, if you are unaware:

https://phys.org/news/2023-08-banner-year-perseid-meteor-shower.html

I'm going to try to continue to try to plan something every weekend...like an excursion every weekend. Last weekend was the museum...this weekend, star gazing. 

I'm hoping to curate a smaller wardrobe. I realize that I have many clothes but I don't wear all of them...and some of that is because of weather. I keep a stash of cold weather things because it seems we prefer to travel to cooler weather...but I have many things I purchased for a specific reason and then haven't really wanted to wear them again...that's fine for a special occasion dress...but not for things that should or could be everyday things.

So one thing I've figured out...after looking at body type stuff again...is that dresses are more flattering on me when there is the indication of a waist. I don't have an hourglass shape...I have more of the 8 shape...so it's a bit of an indent...and while there is no denying that I could lose a few pounds...I feel more attractively curvy when you can see that I do have something of a waist between my generously proportioned uppers and lowers LOLOLOL.

So that dress is a winner for me. It's a knit fabric. Cotton blend. NOT made in China LOL...and it has the waist sash. Color is great for my Soft Natural Earth self. It's very comfortable and did great in the warm weather...and it packs well, being a knit. I haven't looked at Toad&Co's website...I've seen them at Mast General before and I think REI. I should take a look...maybe see about some sales.

Thank Melody about my hair! I was keeping it in the shorter messier pixie-esque style there...my new hair dresser did such a good job with this last cut though...it's been growing out nicely and not being too frustrating...I think I'm going to let it keep growing...

Laurie...if space isn't an issue for your packing, definitely take an extra outfit...especially if your things all mix and match, which they seem to do. 

Idk for sure but I would say that everything outside the inside passage has a chance to be a bit more rocky...that is, everything between Sitka and Victoria/Seattle. The one sailing I've taken was Vancouver through the inside passage which was all protected waters...but when we left to go into the Gulf of Alaska to access Hubbard Glacier...MAN...DH got sea sick...we were rocking. 

Alright. Wimbledon!

We're BIG tennis fans. DH played in high school...and before that obviously. My FIL was a tennis pro once upon a time ago...he has played his entire life and has a deep abiding love for the game...he plays in his age group currently and last I knew was a top 5 ranked player nationally. DS started playing when he was younger...but ultimately, he didn't want to continue...

But around that time...elementary school age...we started watching tennis. DH and DS were able to go to some tennis tournaments in Houston, complimentary tickets. And we started watching tennis...and we just kept watching tennis. I think with all the moving around we have done...it can be hard to continue to follow your team...players retire, get traded, etc...and IDK...there's something a little more constant about following individual players maybe? I can easily name more tennis players than current football players right now. EASILY. I can recognize players...I know what country they're from...or region anyway...

All this to say that going to Wimbledon is a BIG DEAL for us. Not just because it's a big deal in general...as some would say...it's a major bucket list item. It was a late realization that we were going to be in London during Wimbledon. Our hope was to be able to go earlier during our visit, in the hopes that there would still be singles matches on the outer courts, as we would likely just be able to get grounds passes and not tickets for any of the show courts. An eye on the forecast and all the rain, as well as DS's concert ideas, postponed our attempt until this Monday morning.

We did a bit of reading up on the Queue before going. My favorite line from an article read something along the lines of, if the idea of joining thousands of other sports fan to purchase day of tickets strikes you with fear and horror, then you likely use the word "line" instead of "queue".

Maps did not have the best directions for getting there. The transit plan was fine, but the stop would have been the wrong one. Just sayin'. From where we were, we made 2 transfers to get to Wimbledon. It was quite clear who all was going to Wimbledon...and we all got off at the Southfields station...follow the crowd. Up the street just a bit and you will see that one side of the road says has signs directing you to one side or the other depending on whether or not you already have a ticket.

There's a park where the Queue takes place. It's all set up and very orderly. There are workers there who are directing everyone...you get into your queue and then someone follows along and hands out your queue card which is dated and numbered. I was 3495. And now you are officially in the line.

We were also handed a guide to the Queue, a multipage little booklet that also had Wimbledon information.

There were venders at the edges of the park. Very handy because we were in need of morning caffeine...DH and DS took off for those queues LOL...and I took this little one minute video to show what being there was like:

We had arrived around 7AM...

There are luggage holds available so that you can bring supplies for the Queue but not have to deal with them in Wimbledon. People had blankets, chairs, full picnic supplies. You can bring your own alcohol into Wimbledon...there is a per person limit...but still. We didn't bring any supplies really. We brought some reading material...

The rough thing about admission using the Queue is that tickets begin to go on sale just a little bit before the matches start...so with so many people to process through ticketing...it can take time to get into the grounds. We had a vague hope of being able to be around to see the first match of the day...but that was soon dashed as we realized the full magnitude of the process. 

If you noticed the tents in the video...people were already lining up for future days. There are instructions on how to camp in the queue...you can actually leave the queue for up to 30 minutes and not lose your place in line. There's instructions for things like pizza delivery...and there ARE toilets. There's a whole bunch of typical port a potty types and then portable buildings that have what I heard were really nice more "normal" toilets.

We entered the grounds before noon...headed to get some Pimms...the classic Wimbledon drink...

And then we headed over to see a ladies doubles match. One team had an American player on it...I think they were the second seed? We were front row in the corner...most of the outer courts are very intimate setting...

Court 12 is one of the larger grounds courts...we headed there to watch more Americans. There was an American on each side of the net...we were actually rooting for the underdogs, USA/South Africa duo...we had been really impressed with the South African player who made a name for himself with a surprising deep run in whatever tournament it was... The ladies behind us were also rooting for the same players, and they were vocal which was a lot of fun...

From this court we could also see over to the grounds courts on this side of Centercourt:

There were juniors singles matching happening on these courts. The near court was an exciting game with a local lady coming back from a 2-5 deficit to take the first set and ultimately win her match. After this match concluded...we went over there to see the end of that match.

DS was in communication with a friend...and so we have screen shots of us that they captured from the broadcast. I edited this one to show the players and our location. The gentleman is a beloved doubles UK player and the lady is USA:

At some point we had a sit down meal...but we also had to do the other Wimbledon tradition of Strawberries and Cream:

It was getting on to evening so we took our treat up to Henman Hill where grounds pass people can sit on a grassy hillside and see large screens that are showing the matches on the Show Courts.

It was getting to be later in the evening...the only matches on now were the Show Courts...so we decided to head out. We got this photo on the way out:

This is a Toad & Co dress I picked up at Mast General in NC on our trip there at the end of May. 

We did get sunburns...Sigh. Unbelievable that the Florida residents went to London and got sunburned but there it is. Because we were traveling with carry ons only...we didn't have aloe...and DS was out because he used his all up on his Finland trip...sharing with his friends.

Here's the thing about London. The stores CLOSE. Here we are after 8PM and it was like...how can be get our hands on some aloe?

So I remembered the Super Tesco store that was next door to us where we stayed the last time we went to London...and they were open. It was kinda sorta on our way...less than half a mile from one of the stations we would be passing through...so DH and I made a detour to there while DS continued home to figure out his outfit for graduation the next day...

As I mentioned previously...we had taken 2 transfers to get to Wimbledon...but one of those lines was experiencing SEVERE delays...so we actually backtracked one station to make a transfer to an overground line. It was crazy seeing all the packed trains after the show court matches were completed as we sat on the overground tracks waiting for our train. We stopped by DS's flat to hand off some aloe and headed home...

Graduation was the next day...

I hike in the Athleta joggers all the time...the only problem I've had with them and the bugs is around the ankles. I find that even with socks covering my skin, I can still get bites if the joggers ride up. I think they're a great choice. 

I get not wanting to rewear clothing when traveling with warm weather. How long is your cruise? One week? Where does it leave from again? I can't recall your itinerary.

I love my overalls!! I got some for gardening from Duluth Trading that are so lightweight and handy with pockets everywhere. I love how they don’t bind at the waist…for that I would think they would be handy for travel. 

42 minutes ago, flamingos said:

Thank you, but this seems a bit more extreme than typical.  😞

Oh it’s definitely extreme. Feels like this event is what that article from 2020 was warning about. Like the article says, it’s an annual

phenomenon, but conditions in Suicide Basin have been worsening and so one of these years, it would be much worse. The previous “worse” one was 2016 which has been referenced in all news accounts.

Laurie...regardless of heat, I always wear long pants here when we go hiking to help deal with bugs. Lightweight and loose...anything fitted can usually be bitten through. I will also wear long sleeves. I have loose fitting lightweight merino wool long sleeved shirts that I wear to cover my arms. I also invested in this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ANQVZE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Which you could also use to treat your clothing before going on your trip. It's clothing only there's something about the chemistry of directly in skin usage that renders it ineffective. I'm still loving my Alpenglow repellent, a little goes a long way...I have a small spray bottle on a small carabineer that I hook onto anything to take with me on our hikes to apply to my neck and ears and backs of my hands. The skeeters really attack me...one got into the house last night letting kitty in and out and feasted on me...😡

13 hours ago, flamingos said:

 

I was wondering if this was from extraordinary rainfall, or unusual glacial melt.  They are saying it was 3 feet above the record high water mark.  😞

Apparently, it is a phenomenon that happens ever year, typically once or twice. They call it jokulhlaup, which is Icelandic, because this is also something that is observed in Icelandic glaciers. A very good description of how the seasonal glacier release and consequent flood waters is here for anyone interested:

https://alaskapublic.org/2020/07/28/a-glacial-dam-near-juneau-could-burst-any-time/

Alrighty then...so here we are on the morning of the day that we are going to try to attend Wimbledon.

I can't express to anyone the impact that this has for our family. DH is one who has a story about playing tennis in high school. My FIL is one that has had...and may still for all I know...a national ranking in the tennis world. He has played in tournaments now for his age group...national ranking tournaments...and last I knew, he was ranking in the top 5 for his age group. It's like a thing...he has traveled based on where certain tournaments are held, etc.

When DS was younger, he played tennis. Like...we PAYED for him to play tennis...having lessons and participating in local tournaments and in team tennis, etc. It was the phase that followed soccer...and these are compatible sports...footwork being largely similar...and something that DH did in high school...

And tennis is probably the professional sport that we watch more than any other on TV...on a real...we don't watch football or whatever else...when the majors are on...we are figuring out a way to see whatever court we want with a short term ESPN+ subscription. We are familiar with all the players, names and histories etc...we can definitely cheer for our hometown, or USA! players...because we follow tennis more than anything else. We aren't fanatics...but we are fans...and we have talked about going to a major tournament or grand slam for years...

And here we are...

It just so happens that Wimbledon is happening while we are traveling to London for DS's graduation. And this is completely unplanned...and had we known a few weeks...a few months earlier...no difference this makes...because of the way that tickets are sold for Wimbledon.

So because we did not enter the lottery for tickets by the end of the year before for attendance for the next year...we could join the Queue to get some tickets...because Wimbledon is the only grand slam event that reserves however many tickets to sell on the day of the event for anyone who is willing to get in line to get them. And because this is a long standing tradition...where the peasants LOL have the opportunity to gain admission to the sacred green grass grounds for tennis LOL...for which the very proper and orderly UK citizens have a long tradition of queuing to do...let's just say that it is ORDERLY...and without drama...and that you can calmly arrive when you do...and deal with whatever your number in is line...because you will be handed a number upon arrival...and you have no need to fear that you can't be an ordinary human being patiently, or impatiently, waiting for admission to a beloved sporting event...having gained your status in line...that so long as you don't leave the premises for longer than 30 minutes...you will lose said place in line.

This is The Queue.

Our aim was to be at the Queue by about 7 AM, give or take. The word was that so long as you were there by 9, you could probably be good...but we figured we might be there a little earlier than that. It was Monday and we were hoping that the crowd might possibly be thinner due to work obligations...and this was to be one of the first days where rain wasn't in the forecast...so all combined...we were feeling pretty optimistic about attending Wimbledon.

Now truth be told...DH would have loved for us to be able to get tickets for Court 2, I think it was. This is the third court in the hierarchy of courts...and it so happens...an American was playing in each of the two matches to be played there. NO WAY...we would have had to be there MUCH EARLIER than when we were...and so, we were happy to get to go at all...grounds passes...which means that we could attend any of the outer courts...waiting for appropriate time to be seated...as all such seats are first come...find an available seat during breaks in play...and at this point in the tournament...that meant that we would be looking at doubles matches....because all the singles matches had progressed enough to be held only on what they call the "show courts."...which required a ticket that was one level about the grounds pass level for the third ranking court...and so on.

But this did not matter to us, because regardless...we were going to get to go to Wimbledon! WIMBLEDON!!

Melody...you look absolutely stunning. That ensemble is so flattering...and your DH looks so handsome. And together...you just look like a couple that anyone would want to know...you look so relaxed and comfortable with each other. How wonderful it is to see such photos...on a real...as DS would say.

Margaret...I'm so glad that you are enjoying my reflexion on our trip...I find that writing here helps me...I haven't made too many photo books...but somehow...there's something about sharing here that helps to cement the memories...and so it's almost a self indulgent thing to do...but I do hope that what I write is interesting enough...I think of myself being stuck at home and wishing that I could travel and so I write for myself and hope that it is entertaining enough. I totally get going to the museums...especially where you are coming from...where museums could be something of a regular thing for you. And that's what I am talking about...having a reason to see whatever it is you are going to see.

So when we were about to have our first visit to the Animal Kingdom here at Disney...we were still living in Houston and DS was in kindergarten?...we were big fans of Kim Possible...and there was this exhibit in DAK (Disney's Animal Kingdom) on one of the trails...naked mole rats...OMG...he was so excited to see the naked mole rats and it was like so NOT a thing for anyone else. ALSO...we had learned about Sue the dinosaur...and if you know anything about Sue...she was found in South Dakota...and basically, when it was all said and done, it took the combined effort of the Museum of Natural History in Chicago, McDonalds, and Disney to keep the fossils of Sue out of the hands of private collectors. IDK if it's the actual bones or a cast on display in Chicago, but definitely a cast on display in DAK and on display in a traveling exhibit sponsored by McDonalds to show the most complete skeleton... I don't recall all the details, but DS was excited to see the bronze display in DAK when we went. 

I guess my point is that whatever your interest is...for whatever reason...there it is. And if you can satisfy that...then you have a job well done if you will in terms of travel and sites and sights to see and whatever floats your boat, if you will. And that's really what it is all about.

I can't wait to hear about your travels to London...because I know it will be different from mine...and really, again...that is what makes the world go round...KWIM?!?

LOVELY dress Melody! What great photos! I agree with Lois! Tell us more!

Back in London...DS has in mind to go to an area where he thinks there are many restaurants...and an atmosphere that we will like. So we take off walking...

We leave Tate and make our way across the Thames and over to the area around St Paul's Cathedral. There are often odd little buildings like this one...

I find the mix of materials and styles on this street to be so aesthetically pleasing:

This is the Millennium Bridge...in the distance. We did not cross it or walk any closer to it because we were on a food mission. This is the bridge that was filmed for Harry Potter movies that was referred to in the books at the Brockdale Bridge.

We ended up walking and walking...looking at menus along the way...continuing walking...we thought about a roof top tapas type place but we weren't dressed appropriately for that. There was an Asian restaurant that looked almost theatrical in it's choice of Asian theming and because of that, it felt so Disney-esque to me...so touristy...and expensive. Here is where it would have been nice to have a bit more of a plan.

The plus side to all the walking around we did is that we got to see all around St Paul's Cathedral. There's a lovely small garden with a water feature. An excessively groomed patch of grass that was golf course green like in its appearance that people were relaxing on. And I could admire all sides of the Cathedral...while we ended up going back to a French restaurant we had previously rejected on the grounds that we had eaten French the evening before, Cafe Rouge. It's located on the ground level of the building on the right on the far side near the green space. 

Much more casual than Cote...which had white table cloths and a more elegant atmosphere. Cafe Rouge is definitely more of a French cafe...it actually reminded me a bit of the cafe in the France pavilion at Epcot.

It was a bummer that the four top table at the window finished just after we had ordered drinks. I was thinking how lovely it would have been to sit window side. This is something that seemed common to me...open windows everywhere. I miss that...living now in a place where it's just not advisable to have open windows for the better part of the year because of humidity even when there is less heat. In previous years here, there has been several weeks where such a thing was welcome and possible...no need for either heat or air conditioning, but that hasn't happened for the past two.

You can see the open window behind DH.

Also you can glimpse some of St Paul's, which has a large footprint.

And LOVELY clock chimes. We heard at least two hours struck while we were in the area. It also strikes on the quarter hour. It very much reminded me of the Grandfather clock my Grandmother had in her home.

I was vacillating between drink choices and so our server recommended a strawberry brew. I decided to give it a go. One thing that I appreciate about the ales and such over there is that they usually don't have too high of an alcohol content. So many of the craft brews that we enjoy here in the States can have be anywhere between 6-9 ALC Vol...and so many of the choices over there are under 6.

It was tasty. DH ordered the duck confit because he debated it the night before. I didn't taste it but I thought the accompaniment with the Cote version was better. I had a goat cheese tart which was fabulous.

The long days in London really through me off...sunset was later than Florida so I would always be so surprised by how late it really was. We decided to just head home and call it a night because we would be going to Wimbledon the next day and we wanted to get there somewhat early to have a decent spot in The Queue.

I haven't gone to museums much while traveling. I tend to avoid while traveling actually because I'm usually more interested in something that's either more active or is more in line with experiencing more of the place where I am. I feel like museums can take you out of where you are and while it can be culturally enriching to visit...it's almost like visiting a franchise...while you're inside, you could be anywhere.

Most of my museum visits have been where I live. I do end up wanting to visit museums or museum like places (the Yoda Guy museum like place on Saint Marteen IIRC comes to mind) when I have a longer visit to a place and/or repeated visits to a place.

There's a free museum in my little historic downtown. It's a local history focus. Space related museums too...I've been meaning to go. I've been to the Science Museum in Orlando when visiting Orlando from GA...they had a special exhibit of Star Wars models and other props and costumes from the series. That was fascinating.

I haven't taken as much advantage of the Museums on Us benefit with BofA. Usually I have something else going on but the few times I have have been worthwhile. I realize that this weekend is the free weekend for participating museums and I took a look around. There's an exhibit at one in Orlando that I'm interested in...I'll talk to DH about going this weekend. 

Many colors in that pant too! The front pocket style seems more flattering than the Wool& pant but no back pockets...not that use back pockets normally but having some sort of detail across the back can be nice to do what I think of as "breaking up the space" lol.

I just got an email advert from Wool& for business casual pants make with heavyweight ponte fabric and thought I’d share here.

https://wooland.com/products/rosso-straight-ponte-pant-black?goal=0_798fc90fa9-64bc909daa-96811101&mc_cid=64bc909daa&mc_eid=e17b246214

I don’t have person experience with their pants but I bought one of their dresses, specifically the Isabelle wrap dress, and I LOVE my dress. If the pants are of the same quality, they would be great pants IMO. Merino wool is such a great fabric for travel. I took several pieces on my recent London trip and was quite pleased with how well they held up for being worn multiple times.