Can't upload any pics at the moment, blogger gotta problemo, they're all on here though:
http://dur.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2175250&l=2912b&id=61205739
Monday 15th October - Grayton Beach State Park
A 400+ mile journey from New Orleans gave us our first taste of Florida. An awesome state camp ground right on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Pitched my new $20 Wal-Mart tent (testing it out in advance for Hawaii) and took the rangers advice for a run and hit the forest trails for 8 miles. The sunset sent vivid rays of orange light through the trees, which was almost blinding on the way back, but had one of those runs where you feel as though you are flying, yet not even trying. Think it’s the cumulative effect of all the weeks we’ve spent at high altitude along with the runs up there too.
Ran straight to the beach where everyone else was, that really fine white sand you imagine the Caribbean being like. The Gulf as warm as a bath, one problem though. Red Tide. A bacterium in the water (and air) which causes irritation. Tonnes of dead fish lined the beach! Meant it was easy catching though. Sunset, possibly the best yet. Rays of orange shooting into the sky even after the sun was down. Truly B-E-A-utiful.
A red-tide-dead fish!
Saw my first wild snake later too, camouflaged against the leaves next to my tent, this toffee coloured snake about 4 feet long. A biggun. No one sure if it was a poisonous one or not so just left it and took extra care on the way to the bathrooms. Bit worrying though in the pitch black with nothing more than a head torch! Ah but that’s what it’s all about though, hey?
Left at 3am the next day (!)…6 hour drive to Orlando, to give us a full day at Wet and Wild…
Tuesday 16th October – Wet ‘n’ Wild - Orlando
Hayley and Conor, on the Trek...
Might as well have been in Spain! British tourism hell.
Bald, beer belly, chain smoking, England footy-shirt-wearing hooligans. One incident stands out. A young truant from England (it’s surely not half term already?) swimming right behind me on the lazy river, probably 11, screams to her friend “arr just shove him out the way, get by, just shuve him”. Erm, excuse me young lass, “calm it”. “Oh, for goodness sake” she replies giving me the eye. I’ll tell you what, cheeky little…
Anyway, it just hit me today, most people I’ll ask, “you been to America”, yes for sure, “we’ve been to Florida”. Oh dear... Never appreciated until now just how “not America” this place is. And it’s blatantly obvious as soon as you hit it after 54 days on the road around everywhere else.
It was pretty good fun though, highlight being some random rocket ride you stand up in, then some guy waves you good bye, pressing a button and a trap door opens (much like Saddam Hussein) sending you pulsing down 100 odd feet…
Early start just getting here today, as we only penciled in 1 day in Orlando, but to make the most of today left at 3am to fit in one more whole day, rather than having it traveling. Probably a good idea. In possibly one of the nicest campground yet, I mean even the toilets have a CD system. Top bombing.
Wednesday 17th October
Universal Studios, learnt that it's actually two parks. So to Islands of Adventure first. Loads smaller than I ever thought, and only 2 decent rides. Should have gone to Alton Towers! How overrated is this place! Massively! Humidity was probably the worst we've had, temp up in the 30s. This place must be hell in July when there are cues. We were just straight on and off, re-riding all the time, looks like October is the time to visit. Half day in Islands of Adventure, then spent the afternoon in Universal Studios, just a bunch, of well, erm, studies with different movies like Jurassic Park and Jaws, and a tonne of simulations trying to get you, literally, "into" the film. Kinda works. Loved Shrek 4-d. Especially the bits where spiders tickle your legs from behind your seat, and water sprays in your face. Kinda good fun, even for a 21 year old.
May well actually need a vacation!
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBOyRvmMa6m0mOrbmpe67gkAMihTyps0N7tZlRHqyCYkEeYNWxlpA4mpAa5GkJZxQkaZhllNb7vMsmAMyTJK1BNkQyDQJEcpA8dwpLGHd-XbblAabcLcUhr9DCDPcQslkXV82X-uKV2Pf/s1600-h/DSCF3243.JPG">
Wetens always the best!
Men in Black a bit of a let down though. Got beat by two 11 year old girls on the Men in Black gun game = embarrassment.
By the end of the day, pretty much glad to leave. Too hectic for me, but glad I visited, wouldn't really not wanted to have seen in. Off to the Everglades, last mainland national park (before volcanos in Hawaii!). Going to get bitten by 1.2 billion bugs. My legs are caning from 3 days here already. Think they like the taste of me.
She loved my wife beater
Full photo Album:
http://dur.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2175250&l=2912b&id=61205739
2 comments:
Shame on you being beaten at MIB. There is a little secret they probably knew though. Hold your finger on the red button and in the third area you get a 100 000 bonus. (first in the car gets it).
I agree Orlando is flat and man made but the children love it, just returned after being with 192 children all week.
Simon
Hi Simon
Yes, my Mum mentioned that you were there. I think the Dream Flight is a fantastic idea, and a great opportunity for all of the kids to see. In fact, had I been under 14 I think I would have been in my element! Suppose I probably was on a few of the rides!!
Still think I prefer the deserted 6 mile beach I found yesterday on O'hau's north shore here in Hawaii though!
Hope you're well.
Andrew
Post a Comment