Loretta, Before Leaving PA
I am writing this from inside Loretta, which is currently parked at a campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground in Orlando, Florida. I’m maxed out on the couch, and Scout and Bella are snuggled in the bed taking a mid-day nap. I just finished my work for the day, and thought I’d catch up a bit on the blog. We certainly have been on the move, and there is a lot to tell.
Leaving Pennsylvania was bitter sweet. We had so much fun while we were there - from spending time with friends, to Scout's reunion, Thanksgiving, etc...we enjoyed every day and no matter how much we tried to relax and slow down, time marched forward too quickly.
Double Rainbow
My Winning Bowling Score Against Scout
We were ready to get back on the road and start our next adventure, but at the same time, leaving Scout’s family and friends was hard.
Scout's Mom, Dad and Nan!
She has such a terrific network of people who adore her, and who would love to have her stick around full time. But she has the bug to be on the move, and they love that about her as well!
Our Good Friend, Kristie, With Scout's Mom - Home From LA for Thanksgiving
Me, Kristie, Lacy, and Scout
John and Jared
Superstars
Before we left, we had a really nice Thanksgiving with her family and shared a cozy dinner for 4 with our friends, Daniel and Jason, in Loretta. We had plans to cook a big meal in the trailer for the first time, but Scout’s mom beat us to the punch and made a potato soup down in the house. We did re-heat it on Loretta’s stove, so that has to count for something... One of these days, we will start to really cook in here, but so far it’s just been sandwiches and cereal. We also tested our skills as Tarot Card Readers, which we joke that we will become proficient at so we can make some money when we are on the road. I think we did pretty well, although only time will tell.
Daniel and Jason
The last week in Pennsylvania was a blur – we tried to make time to say goodbye to everyone, but we weren’t even able to do that. It’s crazy how quickly time passes.
So, with Pennsylvania in our rear view, we got on the highway and headed south to Sunny Florida! This time around, we had additional cargo – Scout’s Mom and niece came along for the ride, and to spend a fun week in Florida. Scout signed up for a class that was being held in Orlando from the 6th-8th, and so we had to leave Pennsylvania a bit earlier than we had planned. But this gave us a great opportunity to have some family time at Walt Disney World!
Cinderella's Castle
The drive down took 1 long and 1 short day of driving, but we made it in time to spend a great afternoon and evening with my mother in Jacksonville, Florida before heading down to Orlando. On the way there, I made sure we stopped so everyone could meet my old friend, Pedro. Pedro doesn't like it when you just drive by and you don't stop to say hello.
South of the Border
Monkeying Around
Cheap Gas!!!!
Whenever I go home, I love to go to Joe’s Crab Shack in Jacksonville Beach. Even though this is my home town, when I sit on their patio with a beer and some yummy seafood and stare at the gorgeous beach and ocean, I feel like I am somewhere on vacation. The weather was a little too cold, however, to dine outside, but we still had a lot of fun.
Scout, Her Mom, Brooklyn and my Momma on Joe's Patio in Jacksonville Beach, FL
Let's Get Crackin'!
You're Crackin', too!?!
How Appropriate...
Scout and my Momma
On Monday, we headed south to Orlando, and on the way stopped into our first Camping World store to fill our propane tanks. That store is awesome! They have everything you would need for an RV. We didn’t get to stay long, but we are definitely going back. (Where I once shopped at Nordstrom and Bloomies for purses and shoes, I am now more excited about camp stoves and anti-gravity lawn chairs…go figure).
About 3 hours later, we checked into Fort Wilderness, set up camp and then we all spent the day at the Magic Kingdom. This was the first time that we didn’t have a pull through campsite, and we really struggled. The man who was staying in the site across from us tried to help direct me, but I got myself into a pickle where it seemed like I had no choice but to take out an electricity pole that was placed (quite inconveniently, I might add) at the entrance to our site. But luckily, an angel came riding by on a golf cart, asked if we’d like him to back her in for us, and he had the SUV and Loretta out of that tight spot and parked perfectly in our campsite within 60 seconds. It was pretty amazing. I couldn’t have been more thankful.
Our Campsite
Snug as a Bug in a Rug!
One of the coolest parts about Fort Wilderness was how so many RVers decorated for the holidays. There were so many lights and inflatable characters. People really got into the spirit of it all. And a favorite past time at the camp was to rent a golf cart and drive around to check out the lights at night. People had a lot of fun.
Hi, Santa!
It was Brooklyn’s first time going to Disney World, and she had a blast.
The Snow White-Look-Alike
We went on all the favorites: Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and It’s a Small World, as well as a few of the rides for younger kids, just to make sure Brooklyn got the most of her visit. We got lucky and went on an extended park hours day, where the park stays open until 1 am, but we were all really tired by 11 pm and headed back to the trailer. The Disney transportation from the Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness is by boat, so we even had a couple of lovely trips across the lake.
Goody Goody Gumdrops
Brooklyn and Cinderella
Lego Dragon at Downtown Disney
Me and Brookie
Scout and Brooklyn Waiting for Dinner
Throughout the week, Scout’s mom and niece explored the parks, while I worked and Scout attended her class. We did manage to have date night at Epcot one evening, which was fantastic. We ate at Café de Paris, and did the Wine Walk through France, Italy and Germany. The light show that night was completely gorgeous, and we also sat to listen to Isabelle Rossellini read from the bible about the birth of Christ while a beautiful chorus sang carols. It was really lovely.
Seared Tuna Appetizer
Cuvee Louise
A Champagne That Reminded Me of My Wonderful Friend, Louise!
After an exhausting, but exciting few days in Orlando (which even Bella enjoyed), we headed back to Jacksonville for a couple days of R&R before Scout’s mom and niece left for home.
Bella, Relaxing Outside Loretta
Thus started our Jacksonville portion of this trip, and we have already driven through some of the coolest neighborhood in Jacksonville – the beaches, San Marcos, and Riverside/Five Points. I’m excited to have this time to really introduce Scout to my home town. Stay tuned!
