Intrepid Travelers

We were both kind of dreading the trip home cause that is one long drive from Orlando to Cape Cod.  We're talking about 1,200 miles!!  We left about 7:00 AM to head north.

White palmetto tree as seen on the flags and state symbols.

I thought this was unusual for a major highway, to have the trees so close.

This rest stop is about 3 miles north of South of the Border.  I was so creeped out that I wouldn't use their bathroom so Russell stopped here for me!!!

Very blurry cause it was about 6:00 but we made it to Virginia the first day, and stayed in Emporia.  After a delicious meal at Cracker Barrel we checked into a hotel and crashed for the night.

 Up real early in the morning to continue on.

Got to the Capital Beltway around DC right at rush hour so it was definitely slow going.

 Loved this truck.  I lived for Scholastic Book Fairs in elementary school!

Maryland by mid morning....more traffic around Baltimore.

 I didn't realize we were going to pass through Delaware too...I was lucky to grab my camera in time!

We could have branched off to avoid the DC/Baltimore metro area but we had one more stop to make on the way home, in South Plainfield, NJ.

Russell got antipasto salads from this place called Pizza Stop that would deliver to the Halls Warehouse a few blocks away.  He hasn't had one in well over a year since his forced retirement.  He was so excited to stop here on the way home.  We got here about 2:30. 

I got a really good pie.  I miss NY/NJ style pizza!

He was so very happy to see that they hadn't changed anything with the salad.  He got two.

Aw look how happy!!!!!

The rest of the trip home was uneventful and we were in the house and relaxing by about 8:00 pm.  This was easily one of the best vacations ever....from seeing the boys and doing Halloween with them to living out my dream of seeing Harry Potter World, it was a perfect trip.  Made a lot of memories and had a lot of laughs. 

Orlando

These pics were taken on our last night in town.  We were on our way to the Olive Garden at sunset and the clouds were gorgeous.

In addition to the big theme parks, there are also a lot of other amusement parks around town.

Including this odd, upside down building called Wonderworks.  Apparently it's an indoor amusement park.

In a cool coincidence, my stepson Nick and his girlfriend Karmyn were also in Orlando, and in fact, got engaged at Universal.  We took them out for an engagement dinner which was fun!  Look how sunburned poor Russell got!

Last pic of the ferris wheel that I would never be caught dead on. 

Universal Studios Orlando

We went over to the Universal Studios Park after we finished up Islands of Adventure.  

The first part is a really good replica of Beverly Hills.

I only went to the real Beverly Hills once over 30 years ago, and this looks like what I remember.

There is a smaller Walk of Fame here but the stars are real.

Next up was a replica of a New York City neighbourhood.

Then San Francisco

I was pleased with the cable car turn around.  Of course this doesn't work and the tracks don't extend far past the circle but it's a nice touch for SF.

After SF comes London, outside of Diagon Alley.  That being the Knight Bus again.  While I was tempted to go back into Diagon Alley, it was just so packed by this point and being on the scooter I didn't think I'd be able to navigate well as it's much narrower than Hogsmeade.

Got a pick of Stan Shunpike though!

We drove over a wooden bridge to the Simpsons' Springfield.

This was my third fave part of both parks.

I saw people walking away from Lard Lad with donut boxes and later on I found out that it's not a box of donuts so much as one really huge donut.  

I wasn't sure what this Township of Carey was supposed to be but it was picturesque. 

American Graffiti

After loading down with souvenirs at the other park, I didn't dare go in here!!!

The sign on the way out.

This was the most incredible three day trip EVER.  I am so happy that we finally got to take our long overdue honeymoon!!!!