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Published: September 2nd 2006
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Ian and I were going to Florida with Ian's mom for his cousin's wedding, and decided to make a little vacation out of it as well. On a cold Thursday morning in Maine last March, the three of us drove to Manchester, NH where we had booked cheaper flights than from Maine. It is a cute, super-easy little airport. Luckily we had a direct flight to Orlando, and on the way down we were all able to sit in the same row.
Arriving in Florida is always like Paradise (except for the hella long lines at the car rental desk) because as soon as you step out of the airport there are Palm Trees to greet you, and the weather was perfect - warm and balmy. Even taking the shuttle tram to the luggage pick-up was fun.
We drove to Ian's grandmother's condo in Tavares and visited with family for a couple of hours including Ian's brother, sister-in-law, and their two beautiful little kids. That night there was a full house at the condo, so Ian and I had booked a room at a Holiday Inn down the street. We usually try to find "special" places to say, but
for a chain - this one was quite nice, super clean and they gave us little cookies when we checked in, which was a lovely added bonus. After settling in, we searched for a nice restaurant to have dinner and found a place called Finlay's. It had a nice atmosphere inside and the walls were decked out with paintings by a local artist. I had some delicious salmon and Ian had chicken. They also gave us complimentary cookies from a new local bakery as we were leaving - complimentary sweet treats! After dinner we were on a quest (especially Ian) to find Guinness. We went into a local grocery store and bought a four pack, which we later shared in the hotel's plastic cups in front of the telly.
Friday morning, Ian and I caravaned in one car with his mom, grandmother, and great-aunt in a car behind us for the 3 hour drive from Tavares to West Palm Beach. It was mostly highway driving so boring, but not bad. The area was beautiful! We helped them find their hotel, then checked into ours - The Jupiter Waterfront Inn, which we loved! Our room had an ocean view and
a small porch/deck overlooking the pool and hottub. We relaxed for a bit, then drove over to the Jupiter Beach Resort, which was the location of Saturday's wedding reception, but also the place to catch the bus to that night's rehearsal dinner - aka Booze Cruise. A whole bus load made it's way to a marina where we boarded and set sail for a 3 hour tour on the waterway. The air way warm and the drinks were flowing. Everyone was so nice and their was also a buffet dinner in store.
Luckily we didn't need to wake up too early. After returning from the cruise, we decided on a late night swim and hot tub run! We were the only ones outside at midnight, so it was nice!
Saturday morning, we were able to sleep innn! The wedding was at a beautiful church, with a very humorous Jamaican priest leading the ceremony. It was beautiful. Then - back to the Resort for dinner, dancing and drinks! We stayed in Jupiter for one more night before caravaning back to Tavares on Sunday. Mimi's guest room was free, and they invited Ian and I to stay with them, which
was so nice!
We went out and explored the local mall - an elderly man smiled at us walking with our arms around each other and giggling and said something like, "That's the way it should be." Very sweet! We then had lunch at a Steak and Shake.... fun name, good burgers! Sunday night, Ian and I took the rental car to Kissimee to find Medieval Times were we had reserved seats for the dinner theater type of event. We had front row seats to a performance including a king, a princess, and lots of horses and jousting. The crowds seating is divided into colors, each color representing a team that you cheer for. We were yellow. Serfs serve your dinner in courses - but you have to eat the medieval way - no silverware!! So we drank beer, ate chicken, ribs, and bread, and even sipped soup with only a couple of napkins between us! It was fun, and we saved our paper crowns and a cup I got with my Dragon-Slayer Punch before the show!
Monday was our Universal Studios day, which was a blast! We behaved like 12 year old (which is not highly unusual)
running to the next ride (to wait in line for 30 minutes plus). It was busy, but not unbearably so. Some of our favorite rides were the Hulk rollercoaster, the Spiderman 3-d, Fire and Ice, Dr. Doom's Fearfall, and others.
We always seem to befriend kids accidentally. The 8ish-yr-old boy in front of us before our second time on Spiderman casually complimented Ian on his sideburns, and passed me a pair of 3-d glasses from the bin. Very funny! We concluded the long day with dinner at the Hard Rock!
After a little more visiting, we flew home Tuesday morning...to arrive in NH in capris and flip flops and snowy/rainy weather...smart! All in all a great time!! And a great escape from the Maine weather!!
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