Everyone Loves a Parade

Posted on December 6, 2015December 6, 2015 by Dusty Roads

The weather still couldn’t seem to decide what it wanted to do. The sky was dark and threatening and it was windy but no rain. It was tempting to head back to the hotel but I had a “vision” of the photo I wanted to get in Jackson Square so after a brief debate we decided to take a walk over there before we went back to the hotel. Good thing we did as the weather finally hit the next day, but more on that in another post.

DSC_1570a_edited-1

It was kind of cool to think we were actually walking along the top of a levy to get to Jackson Square but once there it was filled with spectators watching another street performer. As interesting as that was it meant that I couldn’t get the shot I had in mind. We hung around a bit but light was fading fast so I took what I could and we started walking back to the Wyndham.

DSC_1574 copy

Since it wasn’t Mardi Gras or any other holiday I didn’t expect a parade but in New Orleans they hold parades for any reason. I guess the one we happened upon was because of a foot ball game but the float themes were more along the lines of a salute to the Horror Movie genre.

DSC_1575 copy

It wasn’t a long parade but the floats were quite elaborate and they were throwing the ever present beads. Did you know that in New Orleans you must catch the beads in the air? Yup, I’m told its bad luck if you pick them up off the ground. New Orleans is very serious about their superstitions.

DSC_1576 copy

Even so, I got my share of beads. Now I can truly say I have experienced New Orleans!

DSC_1578 copy

Back at the hotel the concierge suggested a seafood restaurant but when we got there the line was out the door. Disappointed we went in search of another restaurant that had shorter lines.

DSC_1579 copy

Along the way we passed a group of Ladies of the Night and were followed by young men trying to give away discount coupons. All very harmless but it gave me an unsettled feeling, not truly safe. This is the first time I have felt that way in all my travels.

DSC_1581 copy

Finally we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe. There were no lines probably because the music was so loud you couldn’t carry on a conversation. It was rockin’ the street outside!

IMG_20151024_183602

It was far different from the Hard Rock experience in San Antonio but it seemed this was the best option for dinner. The meal was only so-so. Not up to the standard I would expect in New Orleans cuisine.

Just a Lazy Sunday

Posted on November 23, 2014November 23, 2014 by Dusty Roads

I spent the day picking at the boxes of kitchen stuff. There are only a few shelves I can use at this point as they all need to be washed down and have new shelf liners. The problem is with no plumbing (water) in the kitchen yet it’s hard to make much progress with just a bucket and running back and forth to the bathroom for refills of fresh water.

I got through 2 boxes and gave up. I really need the shelves fixed in the new cabinets so I can figure out what I can put there and what needs to go back into the existing cabinets. I also have to keep the counter clear until the tile people get here.

I have a big box of cleaning stuff that needs to be under the sink but I can’t put that away until the plumber is done. Oh and did I mention the glassware is covered in dust from the sawing and sanding and all needs to be washed. Of course the dishwasher isn’t working yet either! Same thing with the stove. It’s disgusting. The stove top is covered with a fine dust! No way can any food be prepared on that stove top. I think I know why people add new appliances when they re-do their kitchens. Its to avoid the clean up of the old appliances! I hope I have an old toothbrush so I can get into the little cracks and crevasses.

I think I’m going to cut back on my Thanksgiving dinner. I’m beginning to doubt I’ll have the kitchen ready for the preparation. I’ll have the turkey and maybe some green beans (from a can), sweet potatoes, stuffing (Stove top) and gravy. Skip the mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and cranberries, and desert. Just stick with the basics. That will be more than enough food for just for me and will minimize the pots and pans I’ll need to locate!

Of course, I’ll be watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade 🙂 and I will be counting my blessings because for all my complaining, I still have a very blessed life.

Everybody Loves a Parade

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Finally leaving the midway and rides behind we found another building we hadn’t explored.

They had a mechanical cow where you could try your hand at milking her. A stage was set up with a garden revue, animatrons that sang songs and popped up and down. Very cute.

This was also where a chick hatchery was set up. The display held a large number of eggs which were on the verge of hatching. You could see tiny cracks form and eventually out popped a baby chick! This would have held our attention for hours if the parade hadn’t stated. Having missed out on the circus I was determined to see the parade.

The theme was Carnival like the parades in New Orleans with floats and beads.

There were marching bands.

And float

after float

after float.

But the participant that made it all worth it for me were the Clydesdales!

There they were in all their splendor . Manes and tails braided, feathered feet prancing high. It took my breath away! They even had their dalmatian dog with them.

They are truly magnificent animals. The crowd’s reaction proves that they have super star status. Probably because of all the wonderful commercials Budweiser has used these animals to star in.

Yes, seeing them up close like this made the whole trip worth it for me.

The kids liked the beads 🙂

Electrical Water Pageant

Posted on February 10, 2012February 10, 2012 by Dusty Roads

This is one of the few times I didn’t have my camera with me so you’ll just have to use your imagination. I’d say close your eye and visualize but since this isn’t a recording that you can play it wouldn’t work very well.

We returned to the campground by taking a boat from the Magic Kingdom to the dock at the Wilderness Camp. We still needed to catch a bus to the parking lot. It’s a really big campground. They have actual campsites for RV’s and sites for tents as well as the cabins.

The bus dropped us off at the parking lot where we started our day oh so long ago. It seemed hard to believe that it was only one day. We’d done so much. I put my camera away in the trunk and everyone piled into my car. I wanted to see the cabin and that seemed the best way to handle it. There was only one parking space.

The cabin was really cute as you’d expect from anything Disney. It had a bedroom with two bunk beds and a full-sized bed. The living room had a pull down Murphy Bed that was also a full-sized bed so if you wanted to share it could sleep 6 people.

There was a kitchen and bathroom of course and a little table and chair set for meals. Joe told me the prices without his “Disney Discount” and I thought it was a bit pricey but of course, it’s Disney. It was very reasonable with his discount and if you had 4-6 people each sharing the cost it wouldn’t be bad either even without a discount.

We settled on our plans to meet up in the morning and then we all decided to take a walk back down to the beach. On the boat from the Magic Kingdom someone said they thought there was an “Electrical Boat Parade”. Since it was a question I decided not to lug my camera gear down plus it was dark and I didn’t have my tripod. It was a decision I would regret although just sitting back and enjoying the show was nice too.

There weren’t a lot of people at the beach so we were able to get nice beach lounge chairs to sit back and enjoy the evening. Lighting was minimal and it was very peaceful, especially after the noise and excitement of the day.

Briefly I thought I heard some music in the distance but it faded out and I went back to looking at the stars and enjoying the quiet night.

About 9:30 I saw a green dot or small ball moving from left to right across the lake. A Few moments later there was another. It was very quiet as I watched first one then another start across from the same area. Pretty soon they were strung out across the lake in front of us…just these small green lights. I joked that it was a pretty poor “Light Parade”. As usual I had to eat my words.

It was in fact the Parade and with a fanfare the music started and the first green dot burst into a dragon breathing fire. Each subsequent dot transformed into another brilliant visual display against the black lake. There was a whale spouting water, Dolphins jumping, an octopus and a turtle. A sea serpent with its many humps and a dinosaur munching water plants accompanied a chomping alligator as sea horses pulled Poseidon’s Chariot.

Then all at once the music changed to a Patriotic Medley of God Bless America, Yankee Doodle and You’re a Grand Old Flag and a flotilla of American flags and blinking stars replaced the animated creatures.

Too soon the lights blinked out and once again it was quiet and the green dots moved off down the lake.

It was a very short parade but it was spectacular. I wanted to go back the next night with my tripod to try to catch some of these images but Joe said they weren’t staying in the campground again.If you stay in the campground be sure you catch this parade. It’s wonderful! (Thanks to the wonder of the Internet I located some photos. The link to another page is below. I must give credit where credit is due. But I wish they were my pictures lol)

I found this link on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhzGVpyYGgo

Photos from http://www.allears.net/tp/ewp.htm

Magic Kingdom

Posted on February 6, 2012February 6, 2012 by Dusty Roads

Now that we had the Keys to the Kingdom we were free to play the rest of the afternoon. This is when the experience becomes more visual and auditory. Although I don’t have sound, imagine an undercurrent of laughing and crying (and yes, children do cry at the Happiest Place on Earth. I guess no one explained that to them) , talking and even yelling. There is music and the sounds that go with the rides. There’s the clack-clack of the roller coasters and then the screams of fear or delight and they go over the top and start the plunge.

We had a couple of Tea Cup fans . Joe and Saralyn both like those so we had to let them get a ride.

I like the carousel but I’d rather take the pictures than ride it. Tim and Joe were willing to take that ride for the sake of art.

I wanted to ride the Steam Train and the River Boat. We made it to the River Boat but the Steam Train has to wait for another visit. The River Boat was a relaxing ride while the narrator pointed out the sights and sections of the country we were passing through. We could hear “Sam” calling out the depth as we went along…Mark….Twain….

We caught a showing of the animated bears. I forget what they were called but they were a real hillbilly jug band.

The show at Cinderella’s Castle is spectacular. It made me think of the show that was televised during the Christmas Parade this past December.

We can’t forget “It’s A Small World”…after the ride the song will be in your head for the next week! 🙂

Of course what would Walt Disney World be without parades.

We went in search of a sweet snack or ice cream and ran into the Barber Shop Quartet. They were really entertaining. At one point instead of tapping one of the members did a series of little hops. I laughed and said “I can do that” meaning hop..not tap dance…well someday I may learn to keep my mouth shut!. They got to the refrain, each did their little tap dance and then the last one pointed at me and shouted. “take it!” I did my best impression of soft shoe in my clunky sneakers while everyone one clapped and laughed. Good fun if a bit embarrassing.