Day 2 of Vacation or The Great Flood of 2009
Day 2 of our vacation/anniversary trip was pretty fun. We're exhausted, but were able to cram a substantial amount into the day...even with rain in the morning. Our day started out with the hotel totally redeeming itself. First, the shower head in this place is amazing. Maybe it doesn't take much to make me happy, but I love a good shower head. You'd think a CE with quite a few hours of environmental classes under her belt would be in favor of "water saving" items, but heck no. I want a true five-gallon flush and there better not be a washer in that shower head. When I'm showering, I want the water pressure to just about take my skin off. And this morning, the hotel totally delivered. All I can say is it was WONDERFUL.
Next, we went down for breakfast. Again, we were happy to see that they weren't sticklers on the time frame for breakfast as we showed up about 15 minutes before shut down time. Even as more people came in, the lady kept stocking. Awesome job. They also provide toiletries should you be in need of any...for example, say you pack all your toiletries the night before you leave (so you don't forget anything the morning you're leaving) and when you go to brush your teeth the morning of your trip, you put your toothbrush back in its cute little holder instead of your toiletries bag....should that happen, they've got free toothbrushes for you. For me, 'cause I fit that description as mentioned above, the offer sure did come in handy.
We finished getting ready and headed out to buy tickets for the Sightseeing Train. Now this, should you ever come visit "the oldest city", the Sightseeing Trains are the way to go. It's worth every penny (especially with the $1.00 off coupon Ryan found) and is the easiest way to get around...they also have free parking if you purchase a ticket...which I didn't think a big deal until I later saw people charging $8 to park in a gravel lot that was flooded half way up cars' tires. Anyway, the train was awesome. They even gave out free ponchos...which totally came in handy quickly after setting out. So we pile on the train (not the trolley as that was the train company's competitor) and ride the whole tour through once (an hour a half) and just listen to the guide's stories about various attractions. Maybe it doesn't take much, but we really enjoyed this. After we made the complete loop, we decided that we would get off at a few stops at various places. As soon as we leave the welcome station (where our car is parked) the bottom lets loose and it begins to POUR. At this, we could only laugh. We quickly realized that were we with anyone else, we would be going crazy, but we're having a blast. Our feet are soaked, our ponchos are blowing all over the place, and the rain is not letting up. But...we're as happy as two lunatics...maybe because we really are...but nonetheless we're having a great time.
We walk over to Flagler College, the Lightner Museum, and the Memorial Presbyterian Church. Have lunch, and then head over to the Fort (it's quit raining by now and is beautiful with a steady breeze). After the Fort, we hop back on the train (since they quit running at 5:30) and make our journey back to the car. Along the way, our train passes a couple that have just gotten married. The couple's stretch limo is waiting while their photographer is snapping shots of them on a beautiful canopy road (Magnolia Avenue). We all clap and cheer for them and Ryan does his really loud whistle. I normally am not a hoot and holler type of person, but being that it's our anniversary trip I flash back to our wedding day and I remember how special I felt...so I hoot and holler for them, too. The bride was beautiful and truly looked so happy. As I thought back to our own special day, I had a certain happiness and joy for her. Don't get me wrong...I'd never seen her before in my life...but I was so happy for her. She had a beautiful dress, her hair was lovely, and she had amazing chandelier earrings. Like any bride, no matter how you look on a normal day, you're always breathtaking as a bride. It's a theory of mine...and I think it holds.
Later we attacked the outlets. Why is it that people can be lacking absolutely nothing and yet they see a cluster of outlets and HAVE to visit. And we fell prey. Ryan did find a new pair of tennis shoes, which was very good, because his were SOAKED and he only brought one pair. Note to self, always bring two pairs of shoes.
Supper finally came at 9:30 and we used the B1G1 coupon for Friday's our hotel gave us. As we were getting ready to leave the rain started again, this time at full throttle (with the $20 umbrella conveniently left in the car), and so we ran to the car giggling at how we've quickly become masters at predicting and dodging the worst puddles.
It's now 11:30 (ET) and we're zonked. Can't wait to see what is thrown at us tomorrow. All in all, we're having a blast and are loving every, drenched minute.
Next, we went down for breakfast. Again, we were happy to see that they weren't sticklers on the time frame for breakfast as we showed up about 15 minutes before shut down time. Even as more people came in, the lady kept stocking. Awesome job. They also provide toiletries should you be in need of any...for example, say you pack all your toiletries the night before you leave (so you don't forget anything the morning you're leaving) and when you go to brush your teeth the morning of your trip, you put your toothbrush back in its cute little holder instead of your toiletries bag....should that happen, they've got free toothbrushes for you. For me, 'cause I fit that description as mentioned above, the offer sure did come in handy.
We finished getting ready and headed out to buy tickets for the Sightseeing Train. Now this, should you ever come visit "the oldest city", the Sightseeing Trains are the way to go. It's worth every penny (especially with the $1.00 off coupon Ryan found) and is the easiest way to get around...they also have free parking if you purchase a ticket...which I didn't think a big deal until I later saw people charging $8 to park in a gravel lot that was flooded half way up cars' tires. Anyway, the train was awesome. They even gave out free ponchos...which totally came in handy quickly after setting out. So we pile on the train (not the trolley as that was the train company's competitor) and ride the whole tour through once (an hour a half) and just listen to the guide's stories about various attractions. Maybe it doesn't take much, but we really enjoyed this. After we made the complete loop, we decided that we would get off at a few stops at various places. As soon as we leave the welcome station (where our car is parked) the bottom lets loose and it begins to POUR. At this, we could only laugh. We quickly realized that were we with anyone else, we would be going crazy, but we're having a blast. Our feet are soaked, our ponchos are blowing all over the place, and the rain is not letting up. But...we're as happy as two lunatics...maybe because we really are...but nonetheless we're having a great time.
We walk over to Flagler College, the Lightner Museum, and the Memorial Presbyterian Church. Have lunch, and then head over to the Fort (it's quit raining by now and is beautiful with a steady breeze). After the Fort, we hop back on the train (since they quit running at 5:30) and make our journey back to the car. Along the way, our train passes a couple that have just gotten married. The couple's stretch limo is waiting while their photographer is snapping shots of them on a beautiful canopy road (Magnolia Avenue). We all clap and cheer for them and Ryan does his really loud whistle. I normally am not a hoot and holler type of person, but being that it's our anniversary trip I flash back to our wedding day and I remember how special I felt...so I hoot and holler for them, too. The bride was beautiful and truly looked so happy. As I thought back to our own special day, I had a certain happiness and joy for her. Don't get me wrong...I'd never seen her before in my life...but I was so happy for her. She had a beautiful dress, her hair was lovely, and she had amazing chandelier earrings. Like any bride, no matter how you look on a normal day, you're always breathtaking as a bride. It's a theory of mine...and I think it holds.
Later we attacked the outlets. Why is it that people can be lacking absolutely nothing and yet they see a cluster of outlets and HAVE to visit. And we fell prey. Ryan did find a new pair of tennis shoes, which was very good, because his were SOAKED and he only brought one pair. Note to self, always bring two pairs of shoes.
Supper finally came at 9:30 and we used the B1G1 coupon for Friday's our hotel gave us. As we were getting ready to leave the rain started again, this time at full throttle (with the $20 umbrella conveniently left in the car), and so we ran to the car giggling at how we've quickly become masters at predicting and dodging the worst puddles.
It's now 11:30 (ET) and we're zonked. Can't wait to see what is thrown at us tomorrow. All in all, we're having a blast and are loving every, drenched minute.
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