I realized something as I sifted through our photos for a recap of our trip: there’s a reason I’m terrible at recapping our adventures on the blog. The pictures and moments we capture always have some beautiful {sometimes seemingly insignificant} meaning to us and brings back a flood of memories of when we were there. And especially in this instance, it brought back a feeling of sadness. Homesickness, even.
There wasn’t a moment that I didn’t feel content until we walked into the airport to leave, knowing that I was leaving a little piece of me behind in the sunshine state. Everywhere I turned, I felt there was something that resembled a life I only dreamt of living. And to walk away from that, not knowing when I’d feel that again, was one of the most humbling waves of emotions that washed over me while the plane took off.
Until we make the move, I’ll be living vicariously through my recaps and my Florida Pinterest board.
One of my favorite things about the trip was the amount of different food we tried that we hadn’t before. Italian, Greek, Mexican, Cuban? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. And everything was SO good. Hence the 4 pound weight gain from the trip. It was totally worth it though.
We met pretty much the most un-photogenic manatees ever in Apollo Beach. Apparently manatees started migrating to the water near the power plant during cooler months for warmer water and the manatee viewing center was born. The weather wasn’t ideal for viewing that day so most of the photos look like giant blobs under the water’s surface, but it was such a beautiful thing to see.
We spent one of our days at Islands of Adventure in Orlando with my parents, Grandma, uncle and his wife, and my cousin and her husband. By far the biggest group of people we’ve gone with to a theme park, but it made it even more fun because let’s face it. Nathan and I can only entertain each other for so long at a theme park during the line rides. This way? We had plenty of other people to whine to about how impatient we are.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was pretty much the main reason we all went. While I intend to do a separate post for this, I will say I was somewhat disappointed with it in general. A lot smaller than we thought it would be and totally unorganized. {Maybe it comes with going on what turned out to be the busiest day of the year?} However, the Butterbeer and the Pumpkin Juice were amazing.
Part 2 coming soon!
I choose solitude over social scenes. Tea and wine over soda and beer. Simplicities over complexities. And chocolate over all of those things any day.
These photographs are beautiful. Looks like a really fun trip. There some Harry Potter world thing in the UK as well, I haven’t been as I haven’t read the books yet or seen the films, but a few people from work have been at least twice and seem to love it. I love waiting in line for rides when you have your family with you, it can be so much fun! If it’s just me and Andrew, we play silly games or read a book or something.
I think it’d be neat to see and then read the books and/or see the movies. It’d add a different element when you’re reading/seeing them :)
Looks like a blast! And manatees? Sweet! Sorry to hear you weren’t a fan of the HP part of Universal. I didn’t find it so unorganized, but it wasn’t terribly crowded the day we went. Then again, I might’ve been so taken with just being there that I was biased, haha. Can’t wait to see more pictures!
Haha. The line was 3+ hours to get into the castle so I didn’t even get in to see it which was SO disappointing.
I am SO SO SO jealous that you went to the Wizarding World of HP. I want to go there something FIERCE.
DO it! Better yet, wait to do it until we move down there and we can go together. Because I think that would be even more amazing.
This makes me want to visit so much. I’m insanely jealous of your trip to the Wizarding World of HP.
xo, Maria
Despite the flaws, I’d HIGHLY recommend it! It was SO fun :)
I always get a bit down after wonderful trips too like back to the ho-hum of things and work I guess… but I enjoyed this very much adn cant wait for pt II! that’s so fun you go to go w/ lots of family too get some family bonding during long lines.