Tow Nater Celebrates At The Fort

[stefa70 205]

For all the folks who couldn't be at Disney for Memorial Day weekend, I have pictures! TONS of pictures!

It was a great week. We had beautiful weather, a birthday celebration and a lot of laughs. There will be food, heroes, tow trucks, princes, Fort scenery, parks and much more.

Let's time travel back to Wednesday morning, May 23rd, when this trip began.

Our plan was to leave as early as possible Wednesday morning. At this point, I would rather have to sit in the overflow lot waiting on my site, than to be stuck at home even one minute longer. Nate was following us over in his truck and would pick up Amanda at Bass Pro Shops in Orlando on Thursday evening.

*Amanda doesn't make it a habit to hang out in Bass Pro Shops. My mother, who is a travel agent, is taking 16 "gym" people to Costa Rica in June, 2 of which are Amanda & her mother, so they needed to buy some stuff for their trip. Amanda had to work through Thursday so that was the best laid plan to get her to us.*

I worked Wednesday morning, so I was packed and ready to leave by 9:00am. Nathen then informs me that he has to pick up Amanda's bike from her house at 9:30, and then calls me because he can't find his truck keys. UGH! After a frantic search through the cess pool he calls a bedroom, Amanda finds them under her truck seat.

By now, Mason is more than ready to go.

We pull out of the house around 10:00, stop for gas and cash, and head to The World.

We drive to the other side of town and Trevor remembers he bought fuel additive for his truck that he forgot to put in at the gas station. A quick stop at the boat ramp & Nate pulls up beside us to find out what we forgot.

The drive over was uneventful. The nice thing about leaving on a Wednesday is you beat the weekend crowds.

My view for an hour:

The glorious first glimpse of Disney!

Nate slowed down and let us pass him, since the reservation was in my name, AKA, I was footing the bill. Brat.

We'll call these shots "The road to happiness"

TA-DA! At 11:32, we pulled in to the Fort.

Fred checked us in, for the third time.

If you read my December report, this was the CM who made a big production out of "the group" who was in the 500 loop and wanted me to switch so I wouldn't be uncomfortable. I prayed that Fred would work quickly and I would soon be in Fort bliss. Fred recognized our name, chatted for a bit, made Nate a birthday button, gave us our site, and we were on our way.

Ahhhh....

My excitement is growing and I'm happy as a clam until....

This brilliant family must have missed the hitch/unhitch area and decided to take care of it in the middle of the loop. :banghead:

I kept my patience, and soon arrived at our site. Did I mention which site we were given?

I think this is our 7th trip in a row that we got site 550. They ought to just put my name on that site marker. :)

It was about this time that I get a text from Karla that "Your prince is waiting for you" and about 10 minutes later, Trevor hollers to me that I have company! :jumpforjoy

Thanks to Karla for this pic, as I was too excited to even consider picking up my camera.

Poor Aiden, I squeezed him like my favorite teddy bear. :heart:

We chatted for a while and then I got back to work setting up our home for the next 6 days.

Inside the rv, what is now known as Aiden's Corner. You can see my flowers that he brought me, and hanging on the wall is the necklace that he gave me at Halloween "so I wouldn't get hit by a cart" It has hung there ever since. :heart:

When I come back we will venture out on the cart.

[rdancemom... Pam 113]

:jumpforjoy woohoo! :jumpforjoy Pour me some punch for the drive b/c I'm along for the ride! :partythree:

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

I'm here! cant wait to here all about it!

[Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo..Karla 77]

We're in!! The little guy is missing you (and Mason too) already!!

:thumbsup1:

[jugman 4]

:popcorn:

[SCTigerCock 171]

:clint:

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Wheeeee! I am in!

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

I'm in!

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

:pc:

[BouncingTiggers 98]

I'm in one the first page for once yoohoo!!

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it!

[Judy in Texas 150]

I'm in!

Me, too! :wave1:

[stacktester 78]

Sounds like another redneck story about a dog who can't wait to get to the fort, punch drinking, chicken cooked in wing sauce and probably watched a Nascar race to boot. There, you've heard the story. Nothing else to read here. Your partner in crime was in the site next to me. Her hubby helped me solve some electrical issues.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

How does a Gator fan stand driving for an hour looking at the back window of that truck? I know I couldn't do it. :rofl3:

[LONE-STAR 370]

Keep it coming.

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

Woohoo! You don't waste any time getting started on a TR do you? Sorry I didn't get to meet you this weekend.

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I'm in. Love that pic of you and Aiden!

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

:popcorn:

[stefa70 205]

Thanks for joining me everyone! I'm going to try and get an update before I go back to work. The storm finally hit us last night so the power and internet has been in and out. Thank God it waited until we were home and unpacked.

How does a Gator fan stand driving for an hour looking at the back window of that truck? I know I couldn't do it. :rofl3:

It's tough Dave, but I prefer to think of that "A" as standing for Amanda instead of dreaded Alabama.

Woohoo! You don't waste any time getting started on a TR do you? Sorry I didn't get to meet you this weekend.

I have so many pictures Brent, I knew I had better get a move on. I know there were some folks stuck at home that would be looking forward to a report.

I was so bummed that I didn't hook up with you. It's so hard to get with fiends when there is so much to do. We went by Tiggers, YC's, and FLRunningmommys site and never could catch anyone at home.

[stefa70 205]

We're all set up now, and ready to see the World. We hopped in the cart, and once again, Trevor isn't ready. "I gotta check the oil in the cart" (And men say they're always waiting on us!)

But Mason was more than ready:

First we must go down the main road so Mason can feel the wind in his hair, then we hit a few loops.

I am spoiled by the premium sites but I love the look of the 1600-1900's with all the tall pine trees.

Genia, is that you? Nope, no beer coolers.

In the 1900 loop, this woman was repainting her Airstream lettering on her trailer. I wouldn't want to spend my Fort time doing maintenance, but to each his own.

After cruising around a fairly quiet Fort, we thought Mason would need a walk.

Trevor leaving the bag station again, so I guess the walk was a success.

The 500 loop was nearly empty on Wednesday.

Our drink of choice for the evening. Not bad, better over ice. 8% alcohol, so they're pretty potent.

After a couple Lime-a-ritas, we figured we'd better think of dinner plans.

Especially for TCD:

This is Mason's "Hey I gotta go for a walk!" look. So we did.

I strolled over to the canal beside the 500 loop. I think there's water under all that green slime.

When everyone had been fed, watered and walked, we went back out on the cart. The 2000's loop was fairly empty too. We knew it wouldn't last through the weekend though.

We even strolled over to the cabin pool to see if it was empty....Mason LOVES to swim, but it had a few people in it.

On the way out from the cabins, we saw a hawk fly over the road and land in a tree.

Later that evening, Aiden and family came back for a visit. Mason and Aiden rolled the ball back and forth in the screen room.

Since I had been awake since 3:30 am, I went inside to watch the American Idol finale. Yay, Phillip Phillips won! I swore I'd never watch that show again if he didn't. Nathen and I had plans to do something together the next day, so we all showered and hit the hay.

Tomorrow is Thursday. What would mother & son decide to do?!

Here is a hint to hold you over until I can get back for another update. :)

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I'm in!! Keep it coming I have a long ride home and reading about your adventures will keep me distracted and Mike happy!!

[Disneyzombie-Brenda 10]

Enjoying your report! Mason looks like he is really enjoying playing ball with Aiden.

[kampfirekim 260]

As usual you're off to a great start! :)

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Wow. A lime a Rita, Aiden, Mason, and a teaser all on the first page. This is going to be a TR with a punch!

PS. All Aiden pictures should come with a cuteness warning!

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Very nice!!! I'm late getting started, but who wants to be on the internet when your with Fiends!!! Can't wait to read more!!!