Keane and PiC's December 2009 Florida Trip - Part 6
Keane
Part 6 - Gulf beaches, shark's teeth, going home and closing
remarks...
One Last time:
>Who: Me (Keane). PiC (Partner In Crime). And a cast of thousands.
>What: 2009 Winter Vacation.
>Where: Florida. Kidani Village, Disney World; and Inn at the Beach, Venice Island.
>When: Dec 2 through Dec 13.
>Why: Because we *like* you. Em. Oh. You. Ess. Eee.
Dec 11. Gulf Beaches.
Snack on bagel/cream cheese in lobby and come up with a plan. We're
going to drive around the island, see the sights. Not a difficult
plan, but at least we have a plan...
We take a leisurely drive to Casey's Pass, an entrance to the
intercoastal waterway that makes Venice an island. We walk to the
end, and it's windy and cool, creating a wind chill. At least it's
not sand.
PiC now wants to go to Siesta Key, one of her first choices before
settling on Venice. We take some local streets off the island, and
there are some pretty nice places up here. Up US-41 until we get to
the sign that says turn here for Siesta Key. I take US-41 every day I
go to work. :-)
We drive down to the key, and wow, this place is just stupid. All the
buildings are mostly condos or hotels or rental units which have very
little facing to the street, but stretch from the road all the way to
the beach. On both sides of the Key. And it's all private, so
there's no access to the beaches by us mere mortals. We get to the
public site, and the lot is empty. And it's a big lot. I like this
area now, but I'd probably hate it during tourist season. Whenever
that is.
The beaches are white here, like Marco Island. Unlike Venice, which
is just a few miles South. The sand is way different than the Lake
Michigan sand I'm used to. I don't really care for the tracks the
machinery leaves when they manicure the beach, but the sand is
compacted, and it's easy to walk on.
On the way back, we drive US-41 in Venice, rather than taking US-41
(Business) to see what's there. Every store you can think of. Even
ones you can't. US-41 has been like that for every mile we've been on
it down here.
We decide to eat at this Irish place that we passed yesterday, who
claimed to have NY style corned beef. Okay, I'm not dumb enough to
believe that after lunch at the BBQ place, right? So I have the
corned beef sandwich, which didn't have bad corned beef, but do they
really put cole slaw and Russian dressing on fake, loaf style rye
bread in New York? I think not.
We have the afternoon, and PiC wants to go hunting for shark's teeth.
We go to the front desk, which has the
wire-basket-on-a-bent-piece-of-conduit strainer free for the guests
use, and PiC asks where the best place is. Caspersen Beach. Venice
isn't good, because they replenish the beach. Caspersen is relatively
untouched. I am skeptical.
Yet on the first drag of the Gulf, PiC comes up with a tooth. I'll
be. She gives it to me, and I don't know what to do with it, so I
finish the coffee I got in the lobby and us it as a booty cup.
Pic was doing all the scooping until a wave got me. I hate these
water rides. A shoe full of water makes me take off my shoes and
socks. Okay, so I'm standing ankle deep in the water in December with
a strainer device looking for shark's teeth. If I were doing this at
home, they'd already have to amputate frozen feet and y'all be calling
me stumpy. I'm still available for adoption...
In a couple of hours, we've come up with 19 teeth, only 15 were
complete. Largest we found was about an inch.
Did the ol' hair dryer in the shoe trick. Worked nicely. We now have
enough sea shells to start our own beach.
Rested/cleaned up for dinner, and went out to the Venice Fishing Pier.
Took a walk out to the end of the pier and back, and waited around for
the sunset. We had dinner at Sharkys, a bar/restaurant on the beach.
Drinks were only okay, but the food's quality and quantity were very
good. Their Christmas Tree is decorated with flip-flops. What more
could you ask for?
As our last acts as tourists, we stop and look at the light topiaries
they have in front of City Hall. Disney doesn't have anything to
worry about.
Our last day in Florida. And the best day we're going to have, is
tomorrow, the day we leave...
Bummer.
===================================================================
Dec 12. Going back home.
It's a beautiful morning. I wouldn't mind staying a couple more days,
but PiC has to be in the office on Monday. So we're off! A donut and
some coffee to go in the lobby, and check out. Up US-41 to I-75, and
it's back on the road...
It starts to rain around Ocala, AND IT NEVER STOPS RAINING, ALL THE
WAY TO CHATTANOOGA. I am very disappointed. I do make it through
Atlanta in record time, but we got a late start and won't stop at the
Varsity, though I point it out to PiC as we drive by. The place will
always have good memories for me...
I stop at a Quality Inn, for no other reason that it has outdoor
corridors, and I can get a room on the first floor, and not have to
carry my luggage more than 15 feet. It's kind of a ratty room,
nothing really wrong, just showing it's age. I guess there's a reason
I stay at Best Westerns more these days...
We go to a local BBQ place, and it's closed. The hours on the door
says it should be open, but it's not, and we have to settle for either
a Chinese buffet, McDonalds, or Mexican in Tennessee again. It's
Mexican, and it's not too bad, better than the place in Nashville,
anyway.
Ah, well, a day of disappointments.
===================================================================
Dec 13. Last day.
We're on the road kinda late, 7:15am. It rains on and off until we
hit Indiana. There's ice from the weeping rocks in the mountains. As
a final insult, the coffee offered at the rest areas is Nesc...
Nesca... well, you know.
There are a couple of major accidents, one in Louisville, one further
into Kentucky. Hit Gary, Indiana about 3:45pm, and the steel mills
are pumping out smoke. The Bears (who lose like the miserable curs
they are) game has been over for an hour now, and there's still some
residual traffic on I-94. Smoque BBQ is on the way to PiC's house, so
we stop in and my faith in slow cooked/hardwood smoked BBQ is
reaffirmed. Drop off PiC at about 5:45, go to the pharmacy to pick up
a prescription for Mom, and I'm home by 6:30pm.
11 days, 11.5 hours, 2789.3 miles. And my annual pass expires today.
(sigh)
===================================================================
Final thoughts.
Too short. That's all I can say. I could have used another 3 days
just at WDW alone, and a nice sunset from the balcony of my room over
the gulf would have been welcome. When you slow down and enjoy your
stay, you do less than you'd planned.
But that's okay. I've often said I do more Disneyworld Resort
Vacations now than I do Disneyworld Park Vacations. I don't need to
be in the parks every day. One day, I'll probably do a two-week
vacation with the aim of going on or seeing *every* attraction in all
four parks, but until then I'll just relax and just enjoy being in the
Magic that is Disneyworld.
The thought that I went down to WDW as a cancer survivor, is sooooo
much better than going down to Disneyworld as a last visit, something
I had to contemplate back in April and May. I guess that's why I had
to do this trip, the urgency to do this trip. Knowing I'm just
visiting, and that I'll be back. To thank everyone that supported me
through my ordeal, and to meet some of those who made life during
chemotherapy just a bit more bearable. Thanks everyone. Even those
of you who couldn't make it this year.
The best parts of this trip may very well have been those meets, where
virtual friendships turn into real ones, where names and monikers turn
into real people. Nice meeting all of you, from Atlanta to Cape May.
Of course you're also competing with Wishes and TSMM (and I'm sure
Illuminations, had I seen it) on the bestest meter... Fantasmic was
pretty much up there too. :-)
What would I change about the trip? Very little. Maybe dress a
little warmer Saturday night. Maybe not eating at the Irish place in
Venice. Other than that, it was a perfect trip, with it's
imperfections and all. The weather *could* have been better, but no
matter how bad the weather was, it was still better than what I'd have
had in Chicago. If I would have noticed PiC didn't have the
gingerbread, we may have found it, and she wouldn't feel bad
about losing it.
Venice was fun. A decent hotel, decent food, and decent scenery. And
I actually found a few shark's teeth. I'm used to looking over a body
of water large enough that you can't see the other side, but we just
don't have the same beaches in Chicago. I'd stay there again...
My bad post-Disney Karma? A cracked exhaust pipe, someplace between
Chattanooga and Chicago. A minor fender-bender, which took a little
paint off my car. And PiC had her flooded office. I understand it
was pretty bad.
Pic probably doesn't know it yet, but I'm giving this trip to her for
Christmas, for taking me to all my tests and chemo sessions this year.
Well, most anyway. But I'm still charging her $20 for taking her
suitcase with me!
Thanks for reading, everyone!
Keane
End Keane and PiC's December 2009 Florida Trip - Part 6
--
When stars are born, They possess a gift or two,
One of them is this, They have the power to make a wish come true...
-- Wishes
Visit my site: http://keanespics.com
--Fizzie
Read it all.
Enjoyed it all.
Plan to go back to the beginning and read it all over again.
My Main Street panorama looks terrrific..... It's framed and has a
place in the living room where I can share it, It makes me smile
every time I see it.
Cat says "Hello" and said to tell you you're not so bad for a dorky
Disney guy.
I agree.
So, so, SO glad you got to make this trip a good one as a survivor. I
hope that means you're going to next year's meet, too!
Have a super holiday!
-Fizzie
Tina C.
there makes me wish I had never moved away. But in the few times I have
visited home in the last decade, it HAS become a tourist town, LOL. But it
is the only place you can find sharks teeth.
Just be glad the circus wasn't in town when you were there....
:)
--
--
Tina C.
"TDC Diva of the Disney Realm, Lover of Trees, Nature and all cute critters"
Tina...@mchsi.com
ti...@themagicforless.com
--Fizzie
I'll try to recreate....
---------------------------------------------
Read it all.
Enjoyed it all.
Plan to go back and read it again from the beginning.
I have my panaorama of Main Street and the Castle framed and placed in
a spot in the living room where it makes me smile every time I see it.
Cat says "Hello" and to tell you that you're "not so bad for a dorky
Disney guy" (said with an evil grin)
OK, important part... and I'll try to remember what I said. Something
like....
I am so, so SOOOOO glad that you got to do your Disney and Florida
vacation as a survivor. I hope that means you're planning to return
next year.
Hope you have a terrific holiday!
-Fizzie
Keane
wrote:
>Love your TR. Venice is my home town and I miss it. Reading your adventures
>there makes me wish I had never moved away. But in the few times I have
>visited home in the last decade, it HAS become a tourist town, LOL. But it
>is the only place you can find sharks teeth.
Well, as a tourist, I liked your home town. Of course, I meant
'cheezy' in the nicest possible way. ;-)
>Just be glad the circus wasn't in town when you were there....
>
>:)
>
A circus was putting up a tent the day we went up to Siesta Key.
I was doubtful they'd be able to put up in the wind, but it was
up the day we left...
And selling tickets, too.
Keane
Keane
<BlueCas...@aol.com> wrote:
>Whoops... whole post disappeared.
>I'll try to recreate....
>---------------------------------------------
>
>Read it all.
>Enjoyed it all.
>Plan to go back and read it again from the beginning.
It won't get any better. As a matter of fact, the more you read it,
the worse it gets.
>I have my panaorama of Main Street and the Castle framed and placed in
>a spot in the living room where it makes me smile every time I see it.
>Cat says "Hello" and to tell you that you're "not so bad for a dorky
>Disney guy" (said with an evil grin)
Didn't you ever explain Stranger Danger to her? HAhahahaha...
>OK, important part... and I'll try to remember what I said. Something
>like....
>I am so, so SOOOOO glad that you got to do your Disney and Florida
>vacation as a survivor. I hope that means you're planning to return
>next year.
I'm planning on it. Have to start working on PiC soon, though. I
hope I don't have to start with beg and plead...
>Hope you have a terrific holiday!
>-Fizzie
You too Fizzie. Only 10 more days left in 2009... ;-)
Keane
Lisa Cubbon
we had the chance to meet at the Varsity. Next time we could try a
different place, maybe of still the Varisty. Maybe Cat would just at the
chance to talk with crazy disney nuts about well, those varied topics we
covered in a couple short hours.
I think as I type this you are getting some crappy weather in Chicago.
Our son's girlfriend is trying to get there tonight for Christmas.
She's gonna be late getting into Ohare.
Thanks again. Lisa
Bashful
> Thanks for reading, everyone!
>
> Keane
>
>
> End Keane and PiC's December 2009 Florida Trip - Part 6
Thanks for writing! I enjoyed every word... even the non-Disney stuff.
And I'm really glad I had the chance to meet you!
Sorry about the bad weather. This was, by far, the "cloudiest" trip
we've ever had at WDW. But like you, the weather wasn't enough to
dampen my spirits. Fortunately, I've gotten much better about clouds
and rain. Having grown up in Cali, with my teenage years in Orange
County, I really did think I'd melt in the rain when I first moved to
Ohio. I couldn't believe people actually left their houses when it
rained, LOL. Now, I am the proud owner of a real rain jacket, I know
how to user the windshield wipers on my car, and I can even tackle big
things like shopping in the rain! This was a HUGE step for me!
Thanks for sharing your story! (Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know... my turn.)
--
Kitty (TDC Bashful)
Keane
wrote:
>Keane, I Just had time to read your delightful TR. And very glad that
>we had the chance to meet at the Varsity. Next time we could try a
>different place, maybe of still the Varisty. Maybe Cat would just at the
>chance to talk with crazy disney nuts about well, those varied topics we
>covered in a couple short hours.
Dunno, if you were a teenage girl, would you want to see what you
could become in 40 years???
(And hey! It's all about the hot dogs!)
>I think as I type this you are getting some crappy weather in Chicago.
>Our son's girlfriend is trying to get there tonight for Christmas.
>She's gonna be late getting into Ohare.
Yep, weather sucks, and is going to suck. If we're on Santa's Very
Bad List (VBL), we're going to get an inch of ice...
>Thanks again. Lisa
Thanks for reading! (Pictures coming soon...)
Keane
Keane
wrote:
>Keane wrote:
>
>> Thanks for reading, everyone!
>>
>> Keane
>>
>>
>> End Keane and PiC's December 2009 Florida Trip - Part 6
>
>Thanks for writing! I enjoyed every word... even the non-Disney stuff.
> And I'm really glad I had the chance to meet you!
Ditto! (Oh, apologies to Rocky, again... :-))
>Sorry about the bad weather. This was, by far, the "cloudiest" trip
>we've ever had at WDW. But like you, the weather wasn't enough to
>dampen my spirits. Fortunately, I've gotten much better about clouds
>and rain. Having grown up in Cali, with my teenage years in Orange
>County, I really did think I'd melt in the rain when I first moved to
>Ohio. I couldn't believe people actually left their houses when it
>rained, LOL. Now, I am the proud owner of a real rain jacket, I know
>how to user the windshield wipers on my car, and I can even tackle big
>things like shopping in the rain! This was a HUGE step for me!
Wimp.
>Thanks for sharing your story! (Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know... my turn.)
You're welcome.
And you're not alone. We're also missing a BYPT report from JENNY!
:-)
Keane
Rudeney
>
> The beaches are white here, like Marco Island. Unlike Venice, which
> is just a few miles South. The sand is way different than the Lake
> Michigan sand I'm used to. I don't really care for the tracks the
> machinery leaves when they manicure the beach, but the sand is
> compacted, and it's easy to walk on.
The white sand beaches are one of the things I love most about the Gulf
Coast.
> Pic was doing all the scooping until a wave got me. I hate these
> water rides. A shoe full of water makes me take off my shoes and
> socks.
Uh, seasoned beach goers know that you never wear socks and shoes! You
really should go barefoot, or, if you just have very tender feet, then
flip-flops or Crocs are acceptable.
> I stop at a Quality Inn, for no other reason that it has outdoor
> corridors, and I can get a room on the first floor, and not have to
> carry my luggage more than 15 feet. It's kind of a ratty room,
> nothing really wrong, just showing it's age. I guess there's a reason
> I stay at Best Westerns more these days...
Hmm, we usually avoid the outside-entrance places. My wife just feels
safer when her door opens into a hallway.
> Final thoughts.
>
> Too short. That's all I can say. I could have used another 3 days
> just at WDW alone, and a nice sunset from the balcony of my room over
> the gulf would have been welcome. When you slow down and enjoy your
> stay, you do less than you'd planned.
>
> But that's okay. I've often said I do more Disneyworld Resort
> Vacations now than I do Disneyworld Park Vacations. I don't need to
> be in the parks every day. One day, I'll probably do a two-week
> vacation with the aim of going on or seeing *every* attraction in all
> four parks, but until then I'll just relax and just enjoy being in the
> Magic that is Disneyworld.
I'm not really sure you could get that into a two-week vacation!
> My bad post-Disney Karma? A cracked exhaust pipe, someplace between
> Chattanooga and Chicago. A minor fender-bender, which took a little
> paint off my car. And PiC had her flooded office. I understand it
> was pretty bad.
Good grief!
> Pic probably doesn't know it yet, but I'm giving this trip to her for
> Christmas, for taking me to all my tests and chemo sessions this year.
> Well, most anyway. But I'm still charging her $20 for taking her
> suitcase with me!
LOL!
> Thanks for reading, everyone!
Thanks for sharing, Keane! I really enjoyed it!
--
- RODNEY
Next WDW Vacation?
Who knows!
Need to know more about RADP (rec.arts.disney.parks)?
Keane
wrote:
>Keane wrote:
>>
>> The beaches are white here, like Marco Island. Unlike Venice, which
>> is just a few miles South. The sand is way different than the Lake
>> Michigan sand I'm used to. I don't really care for the tracks the
>> machinery leaves when they manicure the beach, but the sand is
>> compacted, and it's easy to walk on.
>
>The white sand beaches are one of the things I love most about the Gulf
>Coast.
They are unique. I just find it unusual that there can be so much
variance in beach color from mile to mile. For instance, Venice has
browner sand than Marco Island, Siesta Key or Pensicola.
>> Pic was doing all the scooping until a wave got me. I hate these
>> water rides. A shoe full of water makes me take off my shoes and
>> socks.
>
>Uh, seasoned beach goers know that you never wear socks and shoes! You
>really should go barefoot, or, if you just have very tender feet, then
>flip-flops or Crocs are acceptable.
I wasn't even near (nor did I have any intention of going into) the
water. Some damn wave from Galveston, TX just ran up on me.
(Actually, I didn't think we'd find any teeth, either, so didn't go
prepared...)
>> I stop at a Quality Inn, for no other reason that it has outdoor
>> corridors, and I can get a room on the first floor, and not have to
>> carry my luggage more than 15 feet. It's kind of a ratty room,
>> nothing really wrong, just showing it's age. I guess there's a reason
>> I stay at Best Westerns more these days...
>
>Hmm, we usually avoid the outside-entrance places. My wife just feels
>safer when her door opens into a hallway.
For me, sometimes it's the proximity to the car...
>> Final thoughts.
>>
>> Too short. That's all I can say. I could have used another 3 days
>> just at WDW alone, and a nice sunset from the balcony of my room over
>> the gulf would have been welcome. When you slow down and enjoy your
>> stay, you do less than you'd planned.
>>
>> But that's okay. I've often said I do more Disneyworld Resort
>> Vacations now than I do Disneyworld Park Vacations. I don't need to
>> be in the parks every day. One day, I'll probably do a two-week
>> vacation with the aim of going on or seeing *every* attraction in all
>> four parks, but until then I'll just relax and just enjoy being in the
>> Magic that is Disneyworld.
>
>I'm not really sure you could get that into a two-week vacation!
But I'm willing to try! ;-)
>> Thanks for reading, everyone!
>
>Thanks for sharing, Keane! I really enjoyed it!
Thanks, Rodney!
Keane
Rudeney
>
> They are unique. I just find it unusual that there can be so much
> variance in beach color from mile to mile. For instance, Venice has
> browner sand than Marco Island, Siesta Key or Pensicola.
A lot of that has to do with the water currents and if there are any
nearby ports or fresh water tributaries dumping silt and dirt into the
water.
>> Hmm, we usually avoid the outside-entrance places. My wife just feels
>> safer when her door opens into a hallway.
>
> For me, sometimes it's the proximity to the car...
Hmm, needing to make a quick getaway, huh? Or is it that you don't like
letting your car out of your sight?
Keane
wrote:
>Keane wrote:
>>
>> They are unique. I just find it unusual that there can be so much
>> variance in beach color from mile to mile. For instance, Venice has
>> browner sand than Marco Island, Siesta Key or Pensicola.
>
>A lot of that has to do with the water currents and if there are any
>nearby ports or fresh water tributaries dumping silt and dirt into the
>water.
Right, but I can't find references to the local geography. Also, for
instance, I've read that you can find fossilized shark's teeth all
over the panhandle, but no explanation of why they tend to accumulate
at Venice.
I'll find it eventually. I took me forever to figure out those trees
were Banyan trees... :-)
>>> Hmm, we usually avoid the outside-entrance places. My wife just feels
>>> safer when her door opens into a hallway.
>>
>> For me, sometimes it's the proximity to the car...
>
>Hmm, needing to make a quick getaway, huh? Or is it that you don't like
>letting your car out of your sight?
In two or three cases, I was afraid for the car. In most cases, it's
carrying your luggage and other crap 10 feet to your door...
Rudeney
> In two or three cases, I was afraid for the car. In most cases, it's
> carrying your luggage and other crap 10 feet to your door...
That's what valet parking and bell service is for! :-)