The TCD Gang Springs Forward at the Fort- A Spring Break 2014 TR

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Time flies.

 

It's already March.

 

Which meant it was time for Mrs. TCD to break out the March photo frame, which she did:

 

 

She has 12 of those.

 

One for each month.

 

A new one comes out each month.

 

The have some great photos in them.

 

Like this one:

 

 

That's Mrs. TCD and Twin #1.

 

At the Fort.

 

In March.

 

Some time in the late '90's.

 

Time flies.

 

The TCD girls are all in college now.

 

And, Spring Break was already upon us.

 

We discussed this when we were at the Fort over New Year's Eve.

 

The University of Florida had spring break last week.  FSU and Auburn have spring break this week.  Those breaks would overlap over a weekend.

 

And we decided that was a weekend we needed to spend at the Fort.

 

So we did.

 

Twin #1 was home all week, and we decided to kick things off by heading over on Thursday, March 6.  Twin #2 would drive down from Tallahassee on Friday the 7th, and big sister would fly in on Saturday the 8th.

 

Complicated.

 

But, our lives are complicated now.

 

I have never had much use for the professional weather forecasters in Florida.  They seem to be wrong more than they are right.  So, I tried not to worry about the forecast last week that said Thursday would be a rainy day.

 

Unfortunately for me, they were right this time.

 

It started raining in the morning, and didn't stop.  We had planned to leave at around 10, but pushed back our departure because it was raining so hard.  But, since it didn't show any signs of stopping, we headed east at around 11.

 

It poured the whole way there, and was still raining as we approached the magical WDW gates a little past 1 pm:

 

 

Personally, I prefer bright blue skies to greet us when we arrive.  Not this:

 

 

 

I couldn't even see the MK gates until we got closer:

 

 

 

On the bright side, there were no lines of guests trying to get in this afternoon:

 

 

We arrived to a very soggy Fort:

 

 

The flowers liked it, though:

 

 

We had our choice of check-in lanes:

 

 

Another good thing about the rain was that I couldn't see the Four Seasons buildings from the check-in lanes:

 

 

I had been able to get a AAA rate on a preferred site, so we went with that.  I was pleased to hear that we were assigned to the 100 loop, and I headed there.  It was still raining, so instead of going ahead and setting up, I dropped the camper at the site, and Twin #1 and I headed to the Lodge for lunch.  I was hoping that the rain might stop at some point, and I could set up then. 

 

Here we are at the Lodge- it did look like the sky was clearing:

 

 

I tired to take a selfie with the buffalo topiary in the background.  This is actually pretty good for me, but I blocked the buffalo with my big head:

 

 

They always have a very nice garden planted here near the Lodge entrance:

 

 

Beautiful.

 

Since we were at the Lodge, and it was a rainy day, I had to go with the chili:

 

 

Twin #1 went with the chicken noodle.  We also split one of those magic bars.  Awesome lunch!

 

It was time for me to go and get set up.  But it was still raining.  We decided that Twin #1 would go and do some shopping and looking around at the MK, and I would go get drenched.

 

So she headed to the MK.

 

And I headed back to the Fort. 

 

And put on my poncho and got busy.

 

Have I ever mentioned that it's good to be TCD?

 

Well it is.

 

Because no sooner had I gotten out of the truck and got ready to be soaked, it stopped raining.

 

And I got to set up without being drenched.

 

After a while, here's how things looked:

 

 

Do you see that site marker there?

 

It says 113.

 

I forgot to mention that we were right next door. 

 

In 114:

 

 

This was very weird.

 

That's a famous site.

 

Which used to be occupied by a good friend of TCD for the winter months.

 

But, now here I am.

 

Right next to this path:

 

 

The back of our site was right across from the Settlement Trading Post- look, there's the TCD hammock, and the poncho I didn't need hanging from the tarp pole:

 

 

Here's a look down that path toward the 100 loop-there's the TCD screen room there on the left:

 

 

And here's a look over to our site from the end of the golf cart path:

 

 

That path was rather soggy, but the rain had stopped:

 

 

Twin #1 came back from the MK about now. She just walked from the marina to our site.  Pretty sweet.  In fact, this is the closest campsite to the marina.  Closer than the Settlement Bus Stop by a long shot.

 

We did a little looping.

 

I picked up a cable kit for the old TV that I use inside the camper. They had plenty available this time.  The kit I got was new.  So that's good.

 

I also bought us some new refillable mugs.  I wasn't going to.  But, with the Trail's End drink machine so close, I figured we would get our money's worth.

 

The plan for dinner tonight was to eat at a quick serve in the MK.  Twin #2 wasn't going to arrive until some time tomorrow, so we would need to put off the traditional first night fried chicken dinner until then.

 

But, then there was a change in plans.

 

Twin #2 texted and said her Friday class was cancelled.  So she was going to drive down tonight.  She wouldn't arrive until around 11, but we figured she could eat a piece of chicken then.

 

So, we ordered our Giddyap and Go chicken diner (GAG).

 

And toured the horse barn while we waited for our beeper to beep.

 

As was already reported by Grumpy Dave, the calliope is back:

 

 

 

That's good.

 

But, the button that you're supposed to push to play the scratchy tape of the calliope playing does not work.  Fail.

 

After that, we still had not been paged, so we went down to the marina.  Last week, there was a post here from Devores mentioning that there was an announcement on the CM site advising that there would be a private fireworks show at Clementine's Beach at the Fort on Thursday, March 6.  Which was tonight!  But, the way it had rained all day, there was no way they could have set up for a private party and fireworks show, plus the updated forecast said it wasn't done raining for the night.  So, I wasn't surprised to see the beach empty:

 

 

Whatever that party was supposed to be, it was rained out.

 

Twin #1 said she had seen a sign at the dock when she came back from the MK.  Maybe that said something about the Fort boats not running for a period this evening?  Nope:

 

 

Look- there's a new fishing poster at the marina:

 

 

Sorry, but that poster reminds me of the old Berlin Olympics posters.  I do not approve.

 

For my good friend, DIT:

 

 

This trip was getting off to a good start:

 

 

So, are you in?

 

You might be thinking:  "didn't I just read a TCD trip report in January?"

 

"This one can't have anything new in it."

 

If you think that, you're wrong.

 

I have lots of new stuff to report.  And, there were several things (I can think of four big ones right now) that we did on this trip for the first time ever.  What could there possibly be at WDW that the TCD gang has never done?  There are at least four big things. You'll see.

 

But, only if you read.

 

I hereby declare First Page Bragging Rights are now available.

 

Act fast.

 

TCD

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

I'm in!

Jessica is going to be so disappointed that they canceled her birthday fireworks show.

[Laura 17]

Yeah!  I was hoping we would get to hear about your latest visit! 

[kampfirekim 260]

I am here!! First page and only the third to repy!  This has never happenbed before!

[Mecha Geek 1]

In!

[kampfirekim 260]

I am here!! First page and only the third to repy!  This has never happenbed before!

 

and I knew there was a typo but didn't want to take the time to correct it just in case someone posted ahead of me and made my 4 instead of three.

 

Now I am 3 and 5.    

 

Firstly, I love Mrs. TCD's frame of the month idea.  Genius. 

 

Secondly, The contrast between Twin 1 being small in the framed photo contrasted with her all grown up was very touching.  Time flies too quickly.

 

Thirdly, I would say sorry about the rain, but, a rainy day at WDW is better than any day anywhere else. 

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

I'm here and even got to say "HI"....

[devores 382]

Sure, why not. Im in.

[lklasing 16]

I'm in!  First page - first time ever!  :jumpforjoy

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Page 1! 

 

You know what that usually means? 

 

I accidentally post several more times and use up all the page one bragging rights spots. j

 

But I am REALLY going to try to restrain myself this time. 

 

Well, mainly because I'm about to go into a bunch of meetings and will be tied up long enought that y'all will be moved on to pages 2 and 3. 

 

But just for the record...I could screw all of you page one posers if I wanted to. 

[Beckers 1,136]

I'm in!

[Beckers 1,136]

Dave I triple dog dare you!

[Beckers 1,136]

If Dave was really dedicated, he would make multiple bathroom breaks during his meeting to mark his page 1 territory

[Beckers 1,136]

Hmm, do I want to be the new Dave?

[Beckers 1,136]

Hmmm, the pros of being Dave would be unlimited Anna hugs, which I have never had....

[Beckers 1,136]

A con of being Dave would be scrambled eggs in my recliner.

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

Wondering if Ray is going to make it here in time to get page 1 bragging rights.

[Beckers 1,136]

Another con would be his O'hanas. I don't like gas

[Beckers 1,136]

Wondering if Ray is going to make it here in time to get page 1 bragging rights.

Ray is too busy being shameless

[Beckers 1,136]

Rainy fort pics are sad. I demand better weather for happier pics!

[Momof6....aka Marty 769]

Hoping to make page 1!

 

Ah well, top of page 2 bragging rights!

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I'm in too!

[Momof6....aka Marty 769]

Rainy fort pics are sad. I demand better weather for happier pics!

No way!  Rainy Fort pictures are good.  They mean someone is at the Fort.  Probably, if I am looking at the pictures, it is someone I know and like.  And that means someone I know and like has been at the Fort.  And that makes me happy.  Almost as happy as when I am at the Fort. :D

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Page one is so yesterday!

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Wondering if Ray is going to make it here in time to get page 1 bragging rights.

I refuse to post on page one. I will not give DIT or now Beckers the pleasure of thinking they bumped me to page two.