Geo: 34.848, -82.4003Ummmm....okay....this is one of our two remaining relaxing "down" days (the other one is tomorrow). So, wouldn't it be nice to drive to South Carolina? It is only nine hours or so. Well, sure, why not??About now you are probably convinced that Jeff and I are insane, but please reserve judgement until I've explained. Earlier in this trip I mentioned that my family is from the South. Greenville/Simpsonville, South Carolina to be exact. I belong to an ENORMOUS extended family and out of those hundreds of family members, my mom, dad, two brothers and I are the only leaves on this family tree that have ever lived north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Yes, we observe the Mason-Dixon Line.We moved away, before I was born, and never moved back. Everyone else in the clan still ... read more

Geo: 28.5377, -81.3774Today is our one of our down days - a day to sleep in (we did) and relax - which we did big time! Seriously, I don't have much to write about. Let's see, I went to the Activity Center to get a book from their yellow shelf library because I want something to read while laying by the pool.Jeff went to the workout room while I swam a bit. I went to the pool in the early afternoon because I knew it would be less crowded with families still at the theme parks. It was so relaxing!We went over to Walmart to pick up wine and more salmon and postcards. If I'm in the U.S. there is no excuse not to be able to figure out the postage. LOLAfter dinner we read for ... read more

Geo: 28.3467, -81.4801Oh good heavens! Is it really time to get up?? We don't want to miss our free breakfast so we drag ourselves out of bed and go down to the lobby. For me, it is totally worth it because there are packages of instant grits. Yum!! (In case you are wondering, or are horrified, my family is from the South and I love grits (and 'fatback' but we won't go there)).After breakfast we go back to our room, and I call reception to ask for a late checkout - 1pm? Perfect. We go back to sleep. Seriously. Next thing we know it's 12:30 and we're getting ready to head out. We have a timeshare in Kissimmee for the week. Oh, was that a gasp I heard? Are you wondering how two super frugal people ... read more

Geo: 39.74, -104.992It is 36 degrees and snowing - hard. Raise your hand if you care.Jeff and I don't care! We are driving to DIA (Denver International Airport) to go first to Chicago and then on to Orlando, FL for a week. For those of you who don't know, I am a huge, huge Harry Potter fan. Ummmm...it actually borders on obsession to be honest. My birthday is next week and what an awesome birthday present from my wonderful husband - 3 day tickets to the "Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter" theme parks at Universal Studios. We have been to one of the parks, but a new one opened earlier this year; and the Hogwart's Express connects the two. Grab your broomstick and come along! If you prefer not to come on this adventure with us, ... read more

Geo: 17.4977, -88.1867Did you know that Belize is the only Central American nation that has English as it's official language? I didn't either. And Belize is a fairly new country - I think they were established in 1981; the people are proud to be Belizians. This is our last port and guess what we have planned? Snorkeling! LOL. We are taking a Princess snorkeling excursion and it is leaving EARLY. So early in fact that yesterday we brought food down from the buffet to have breakfast in our cabin this morning. We knew we'd be on the go and have already packed our snorkeling gear and bag. Ours is one of the first groups off the boat. This is the only port where we have to be tendered in to shore, which means we leave our ... read more