Orlando, FL-Thousand Trails

We have been in Orlando for the past two weeks and well, we don't have much to show for it. It has been a frustrating two weeks in regards to the repairs on our trailer. The guy we had lined up to work on it, did not show. The next person we spoke to, did come out, but he would not be able to get all the parts before we left. So, it was decided that he would do a few repairs to make sure the trailer was protected in wet weather and then further down the road, we would get the rest done.

Well, he was supposed to come out on the Thursday before we left, which was pushing it close already, but then had to reschedule for Saturday, the day before our departure!!! So, of course, Greg was stressed about whether or not the guy would show and if the repairs we needed pre-departure would get done. Then there was also the issue of arranging for the rest of the repairs to be completed later and making sure the parts get there in time. Fortunately, the repair man did show and he did a nice job.  Phew!

We stayed at another Thousand Trails campground on the outskirts of Orlando. They have everything you could want to do in this type of setting. The kids have gone fishing a couple of times but they haven't caught anything. We have also gone swimming, played shuffleboard, air hockey and miniature golf, as well as some board games.

One evening's entertainment was watching a couple of big tow trucks as they tried to rescue a large motorhome.  The owner had pulled into a grassy area so that he could back into his spot and ended up buried pretty deeply in the sand. Not only did they have to pull him out but they had to try to do so without hitting another nearby RV or running over a water and electricity hookup.  It seemed like most of the campground (which is huge, by the way) came out to watch. I felt so bad for the owner because of the crowd he drew (I am sure it is on youtube by now-cameras were everywhere) and because of the potential damage to his RV. He had been stuck a good part of the day and they were finally able to pull him out just as it turned dark. We are probably extra sympathetic right now due to our own repair needs.

The campground is very close to Disney but that wasn't in our plans for this year (giving the kids something to look forward to for next year). And it's funny that I don't think the kids realize that we are so close. They have mentioned that they see Mickey Mouse items everywhere but they haven't quite made the connection. Ha Ha! It's probably for the best! And believe it or not, we made it two weeks before anyone even mentioned it! 

We left the campground only for trips to the grocery store and one other time to see the Lego movie (which, to me, was so disappointing).

The campground had some interesting wildlife. There were alligators but I did not see any. The two, I saw often, were the gopher tortoises and the sandhill cranes. There were tortoise nests all over the place! And every so often you would see one of the tortoises emerge and start munching on some grass.

The cranes were really cool. They got very close and they were so big, about as tall as Jacob! They came around our campsite usually mid-morning and then early evening. The sound they made was quite LOUD! I am glad I saw them before I heard them or I would have been frightened! If you're interested, here's a link with their sound but even with the volume all the way up on my computer, it was not as loud as they were in real life. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sandhill_crane/sounds

The kids are happy.  Jacob has yet again said that this campground is "the best place ever!". Every once in awhile they mention Austin, friends and family but I think they are adjusting VERY well.  I also think it helps to meet other kids living in the same way.  Their relationship continues to grow and I just love watching them explore and play together.  They are never lacking friends because they have each other.  Mostly, Jordan plays whatever Jacob wants to, putting in a few of her own ideas but it just melts my heart to see a moment like the one below; Jacob decided it was her turn and had a girlie tea party.

While here, they met Alexander, Andrew and Bella; very sweet kids all the way from Maine. The boys spent most of their time together catching lizards around the campground. They would release them everyday then hunt them down again the next. And we have loosened the reigns on Jacob a little. He has been able to travel off to friends' campsites as long as he carries a walkie talkie and checks in frequently. So far, so good.

Jordan played with them a little but she really wasn't into lizards.  She wanted MUD! Ha Ha. I cannot keep her out of the sand and mud!  It is like there is some force that draws her to it the moment she steps outside.

One day Greg checked on her while she was playing outside. He ran back inside, grabbed the camera, snapped a picture, then returned with a smirk on his face. I thought, Oh no! And, sure enough! She was outside in the mud and sand. When I asked her how many times I have told her not to do that, she tucked her chin, cocked her head to the side, batted her eyelashes and said “A hundred”. That was followed by her sweet, yet sad, “I'm sorry, Mommy”. I know she only means that she is sorry she got caught! That little stinker. Well I hosed her off outside and we moved on. I know she doesn't look all that dirty, but her legs were filthy! (AND she doesn't look all that sorry, either)

We are really ready to get back into a State Park setting. We met and visited with some nice people (like the couple who owned Abby, the pet skunk) but it's just not the environment we like most. One day Jordan looked out the window and said, “This is not a beautiful campsite!” Surprised, I asked “What would make it beautiful?” Her response was, “Palm trees and water!” Too funny! Well, we will be in state parks for the next 5 or so weeks. We'll see how that turns out!

We are headed to Georgia next and hoping for some cooler weather!