The Mommy-Files Goes to Florida – Hello Florida!
Where have I been for the past week? Orlando, Florida! That’s right! I traveled to Orlando, Florida for my little sister’s wedding and it was beautiful! There were some interesting events and people, but we had a great time. I was sad to leave and say goodbye to my mom, sisters, brother-in-law, and niece. I know I will be seeing them again soon though.
I had a few people ask me if we were going to theme parks while we were visiting. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the local attractions. Universal Studios in Orlando hosted the Mardi Gras Festivities, but we were unable to make it to them. Maybe next time we’ll hit Walt Disney World or Islands of Adventure! Lots of things to do on the bucket list when visiting Florida next time.
Florida was different than California in many ways. The first thing I noticed as we stepped onto the sidewalk outside the airport was the HUMIDITY. It was nice and warm and humid. There was a slight breeze, to which the weather man described as very windy. What the heck? These people obviously have not experienced the Santa Anna winds!
The next thing we noticed (after getting into our rental car and heading to the freeway) was the abundance of toll stations. What new way of collecting money is this? Toll roads galore! The most expensive we paid I believe was $1.50 and the least expensive was $0.25. Can you believe I cheered when I learned it was only a quarter for the toll road? Yeah! Oh and you had to have coins or cash – no credit or debit cards. If you had a Pass, you didn’t have to exit to pay the toll (it’s already paid for). If you don’t exit and you don’t have the pass, you could wind up paying a yucky fine! So, pay the toll! But, on the up side, gas was only around $3.45 versus the $4.33 we’re paying in California for REGULAR UNLEADED gas!
The other thing I noticed was the abundance of Alligator signage. Alligator jerky. Pet the alligators. Alligator apparel. You name it! Maybe there were Alligator chips or Alligator candy somewhere? Ha ha. Florida and Alligators. There ya go!
On the first night, we checked into our hotel room and then drove over to my sister’s home. We met up with my mom and all of us went to dinner at Olive Garden. Oh how I love Olive Garden. All-you-can-eat soup, salad and bread sticks. Mmmm…..I’m starting to get hungry now! It was great to finally meet my future brother-in-law. He seemed like a sweetheart and I am happy to have him in our family. Plus, I got to meet my niece for the first time, and let me tell you, she is adorable!
More to come on the Rehearsal Dinner, Duties of the Maid of Honor, the Wedding, and the Reception! Stay tuned!!!
You picked a nice week to be here. Yes, the tolls in Orlando are torture. We have to pay for those improvements right 😉
I am looking forward to reading about your time here in Sunny FL and how much fun (and the joyous tears she) at the wedding.
Gas here is around the same as it is in Florida; I honestly can’t imagine paying near $5 a gallon! That’s insane O.o
Time to get out the bike I say! Lol
I live in CA too and cannot imagine having to deal with alligators and toll roads. I’m a California girl through and through!
I love Florida! I just don’t get down there as much as I’d like to.
I live just a town over from Orlando! You’re so right about the tolls. Even being right next to the city, I have to pay at least $2.50 in tolls round trip to travel there, unless I want to take the long way, and then I end up paying more than $2.50 in the extra gas I’ll use! It’s a lose-lose situation
I loved your FB and Twitter updates while you were here, but that was NOT humidity that you felt, that was just warmth.
It has been super dry here over the last several months, we are DYING for some rain and humidity – at least my hair certainly needs the moisture, the curls are so frizzy.
The real humidity will be here in about a month.
California or Florida are nice- well compared to the MidWest 🙂 It sounds like you had a great time. I remember we drove down there and we saw the alligators in ditches- ack alligators!
Yeah humidity is tough for me to handle, but I bet the trip was a blast.