We just returned from visiting Orlando, our mid-winter escape from grey skies that along with low temperatures were torturing our aging bones. We considered taking the camper to Arizona, but too short a time between Doctor visits ruled that plan out. As it turned out, I don't think O-town was the second choice we thought it would be. First, we found a good place to stay. We knew we didn't want to stay in a motel again, and last year had checked out a couple of extended stay places close to Williamsburg, where we have friends and once lived. Both places were tired and worn and needed updating badly. We decided against staying there. When we realized that Arizona was out, due to Doctors, we took another look at Orlando, and found two Extended Stay places that had been "newly renovated". That was encouraging, and we like the location.. I made reservations for one week, prepared to move on if the "newly renovated" turned out to be not so recent. When we arrived and saw our room, we were pleasantly surprised to find that indeed, it had been recently renovated, and nicely furnished. Our first night was rudely interrupted by a Pizza party in the lobby at 1:30am. I went to the desk in the morning, to complain and was told that the Brazilians, the partiers, had just checked out. I skeptically accepted this explanation, and the rest of our stay was quiet and uninterrupted. Pictures follow, but the camera wasn't used often enough to document all the highpoints of our visit. I'm beginning to recognize that the best blogs rely on photography to provide interest. I'm neither a photographer or a writer, but I persist, thinking that there might be a person or two who find my ramblings interesting.
Here are the "Friday Night Bunch" at a Longhorn
Old Friends and Neighbors Nick and Teri, treating us to a stroll around Epcot
Bocce on Tuesdays, by some miracle the league carries on
a
Boat tour in Winter Park
Entering a Canal
Mr. Rogers College Digs
Our tour guide explained that Mr. Rogers came from a wealthy family. Mr. Rogers and his sister attended Rollins College in Winter Park and this lovely home was purchased for them to live in while attending college.
Strolling around Epcot
Stylish Young Lady at Ikea, Tattoo and matching Blouse
Ginnie carrying our tray of Strawberry Shortcake
Parksdales in Plant City
Our "Private Beach" at the Canaveral National Seashore
Sam, Ginnie, Jean, Jill, Arline and Del
Catching up on the "news"
Weiner Schnitzel downtown Orlando
Strawberry Shortcake, Yum
We had a great time catching up with so many of our friends, gabbing, eating, shopping and strolling around. We were introduced to the commuter train, "Sunrail" which zipped us downtown and to Winter Park in about 10 minutes. It is a great way to get around and not have to worry about parking in congested Orlando. That about sums it up. If the Doctors don't interfere, we will do this again next year.
