SgtMaj
Lieutenant Commander
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,997
Re: I'm BAAAACK!
Thanks Oops. Let's see, we did Universal Studios (original) and Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure) for the theme parks. The original I had been to before, but it was different than I remember. I was really surprised that we didn't get robbed at the theme parks. I say that because in order to do anything, you had to leave the stroller in their stroller parking areas which were a little ways away from the ride or whatever it was, and most of the time, out of site. Well our video camera and digital camera as well as souveniers were left in the stroller, unattended, and no one took anything. So anyway, that was cool and fun. The best part was getting our son's picture taken with all the characters, so we can show him the pics later and he'll think it's really cool.
We also went to cocoa beach and visited the NASA space flight center near there, after that we did some pier fishing over on the cocoa beach peir where they were also holding an under 16 surf contest... that was kinda cool to watch while fishing. A couple of those kids were really good. Oh yeah, and we watched the cruise ships leave port while pier fishing... that was interresting. You really don't realize just how enourmous those ships are until you see them in person.
The next day we jotted to the other side to Bradenton beach, which is one of our absolute favorite beaches there. In fact my brother got married on the beach there several years ago (he's divorced now, but that was still one of the coolest weddings I've been to). We ate lunch at their city pier there and then finished that day off by fishing from the pier. I didn't do too bad, caught a big black drum, and hooked a giant snook that broke my line. My wife caught her favorite, pompano.
The next day we hit the outlet stores and did some shopping, which my wife wanted to do. Although I think I did more shopping than she did. I got some new shoes because the ones I had bought just prior to the trip were killing me (that'll be the last time I buy shoes from wal-mart)... I got a pair of reboks that are by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn in my life. Also picked up a pair of ray ban sunglasses. Until recently I wore glasses with transition lenses so I never needed sunglasses, but with my contacts, I get blinded by the bright sunlight now. Of course we got some clothes, and my wife picked herself up a nice new coach purse for about half of what she normally pays for them, so that made me happy.
That's about it, then we headed back.
Oh, I have to mention something about the hotel... It was the Ramada on International Drive. The manager of that hotel, has got to be incompetent. I say that because they only charged about $69/night, which was about right for the condition of the rooms, however, if they just spent about $50-100/room to fix them up, they could charge WAY more. It really would not have taken much to turn that place into a nice resort that could charge $110-130 per night and still stayed booked.
oh nooooooo.....hes baaaaack!
just when thing's were returning to normal around here....
WELCOME HOME SARG !
glad you had a good trip.....
where did you go down there? (tourist places)
(missed your up dates)
cheers
oops
Thanks Oops. Let's see, we did Universal Studios (original) and Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure) for the theme parks. The original I had been to before, but it was different than I remember. I was really surprised that we didn't get robbed at the theme parks. I say that because in order to do anything, you had to leave the stroller in their stroller parking areas which were a little ways away from the ride or whatever it was, and most of the time, out of site. Well our video camera and digital camera as well as souveniers were left in the stroller, unattended, and no one took anything. So anyway, that was cool and fun. The best part was getting our son's picture taken with all the characters, so we can show him the pics later and he'll think it's really cool.
We also went to cocoa beach and visited the NASA space flight center near there, after that we did some pier fishing over on the cocoa beach peir where they were also holding an under 16 surf contest... that was kinda cool to watch while fishing. A couple of those kids were really good. Oh yeah, and we watched the cruise ships leave port while pier fishing... that was interresting. You really don't realize just how enourmous those ships are until you see them in person.
The next day we jotted to the other side to Bradenton beach, which is one of our absolute favorite beaches there. In fact my brother got married on the beach there several years ago (he's divorced now, but that was still one of the coolest weddings I've been to). We ate lunch at their city pier there and then finished that day off by fishing from the pier. I didn't do too bad, caught a big black drum, and hooked a giant snook that broke my line. My wife caught her favorite, pompano.
The next day we hit the outlet stores and did some shopping, which my wife wanted to do. Although I think I did more shopping than she did. I got some new shoes because the ones I had bought just prior to the trip were killing me (that'll be the last time I buy shoes from wal-mart)... I got a pair of reboks that are by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn in my life. Also picked up a pair of ray ban sunglasses. Until recently I wore glasses with transition lenses so I never needed sunglasses, but with my contacts, I get blinded by the bright sunlight now. Of course we got some clothes, and my wife picked herself up a nice new coach purse for about half of what she normally pays for them, so that made me happy.
That's about it, then we headed back.
Oh, I have to mention something about the hotel... It was the Ramada on International Drive. The manager of that hotel, has got to be incompetent. I say that because they only charged about $69/night, which was about right for the condition of the rooms, however, if they just spent about $50-100/room to fix them up, they could charge WAY more. It really would not have taken much to turn that place into a nice resort that could charge $110-130 per night and still stayed booked.
