Vacation! So I answered a political survey and won a free(ish) cruise. We set sail from Ft. Lauderdale and had an extra day before we left so we went on a tour of the Everglades. We took an air boat tour and saw some gators.
Mom and Luke held a baby gator. Dad and I were too chicken even though his mouth was taped shut.
Our cruise took us to Grand Bahama Island where we got to stay for a few days. The weather was in the 70s so not super warm, but definitely warmer than Wyoming!
After our hotel in Ft Lauderdale we were a little nervous about what the resort would be like. It was awesome! This was the view back to the main lobby area.
They had a giant chess set outside for us to play with. Luke won because I have no skills at chess.
The pool was right on the beach. It was the off season and a section of the resort was being renovated so we basically had the pool all to ourselves. It was pretty cold so we liked the hot tub better than the pool.
Beautiful white sandy beaches.
The resort was right across the street from the Port Lucaya market. This is where we ate most of the time.
We took a banana boat tour with our boat captain Boots. This was apparently one of the ships they used in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie. We lived with some tour guides in Alaska and they told us they made up a lot of the stuff they told people. So knowing this, I am a little sceptical of tour guides.
Mom and Dad with Cpt. Boots. We did this while Luke was scuba diving. A new post to follow to tell all about it.
At the cruise ship port.
After the cruise we went up to Orlando and spent a couple of days at Universal studios. Yay!
This is the Rockit roller coaster. You got to pick out the song that played while you rode. I pick "I Will Survive" and Luke picked "Born to be Wild." It was pretty intense. At one point I almost blacked out but didn't throw up!
Day 2 was the Island of Adventure. Home of Harry Potter World!
Another intense roller coaster. Again I did not throw up. Another victory for me.
Jurassic Park always reminds me of my brother Brett. He loved the movie when he was little. We went to Universal in California but he was too short to ride the ride and he was devastated. It was sad and funny all at the same time. Now it will forever be Brett's ride.
We got a little wet.
Our next ride was the Dudley Doo-Right log ride. We figured since we were already wet, why not? By the time we were finished it was like we had gone swimming in our clothes! So wet! Just when we thought that we were safe and done and about to be unloaded, by-standers shot us in the face with water cannons! Oh the injustice!
Yes, we did pay for the people dryer.
Dad thought the people drenching cannons were the best thing ever. Retribution is a sweet and a vicious cycle.
Once we were thoroughly drenched we moved on to Harry Potter World! Hello Hogwarts.
We enjoyed some pumpkin juice and butterbeer. The butterbeer was delicious the pumpkin juice was only OK.
Hogsmead was very busy.
The Hogs Head and the Three Broomsticks.
Hogwarts Express.
Luke in Zonko's Joke Shop.
Me in Olivander's. The wand picks the wizard, and yes it was Bellatrix's.
We had an awesome vacation but it is always nice to get home. We landed in Denver to cold and snow. Welcome home!
