Endings and Beginnings

Sadly, our vacation ended last night (rather early this morning).  Today begins the clean-up.  I've managed to get a haircut, reduce the mail stack by more than half, the newspapers by 3/4 and completed 5 loads of laundry.

I'm just going to go stream of consciousness here, try to get some thoughts down before they escape me completely, which most of them probably already have.

• You're never too old for Disney parks.

Amazingly Calm Water

• Don't go in November expecting it to be calm and sparsely attended.  Expect great loads of people - from strollers to jazzy-carts and everything in between - and noise levels to rival a rock concert.  (I quickly reached my saturation with the noise.) November attendees are also subjected to constant unending Christmas music - which seems so incongruous in the 83 degree sunshine.

Our traditional feet in water pic.

• While the exact origins of the "queue" are most likely lost somewhere in the mists of time, Disney has perfected it into an art form.  No one does queues like Disney.  Even when it appears the line is short, don't bet on it.  FastPasses are a fabulous invention.

I rarely get soda- easy to see which is mine.

• My admiration, respect and affection for caregivers of all ages and kinds was positively reinforced this trip.  There were many people attending the park with challenges and disabilities of all kinds, surrounded by loving companions.  Kudos to the caregivers everywhere for their patience, their concern and their unselfishness.  Christlike behavior that is an example to us all.

YAY!  The Beach!

• A woman's bra (including the straps) is by definition underwear. To me that means under the outer clothing.  Invisible.  Bra straps just hanging out there:  tacky.  Particularly when they're dingy and ragged.  Save me, please - wear underwear under, not outer.

• Disney Dining plans are great.  Use with caution, can result in excess weight gain.

• Still prefer the Atlantic coasts/beaches over the Pacific ones.

No signs like this in Utah.

• We covered a fair amount in our 2+ days on Daytona Beach Shores:  walked the beach,saw the manatees, walked the beach, spied on vultures and meandering badgers, found a sand dollar (and a half),  climbed 200+ stairs to the top of the lighthouse, walked the beach a bit, found the boardwalk and watched a young couple ride the human slingshot (looked w-a-y fun ~ but pricey) and walked the beach a tad more.

Almost the top of the lighthouse, looking down.

• Aunt Catfish's On The River:  YUM!

Don't Miss This Eatery

• Daytona Beach Walmart is just like every other Walmart I've been in.

Our last beach sunrise this trip.

• Thanks to someone special watching the house, we were able to relax and know that things were taken care of here, always a point of anxiety for me.

• Always take some sort of rain slicker when going to Florida.  We totally utilized ours.

• Together is always the very best place to be.  There is no place like home.  Together + Home = Heaven.

• My gratitude today includes: the luxury of being able to take a break from the everyday,  the blessing of traveling safely... and my own bed.  Which is calling to me.