Homeward Bound ~ Florida to Tennessee

Sunday May 18th
Our goal is to get to Clarksville, TN tonight 732 miles, estimated driving time 10.5 hours

It took us awhile to pack up, so we didn't leave the townhouse until 10 :20 am.

We like rest stops and the signs they deem necessary

Jo was still feeling the effects of her sunburn... chills and swollen legs.  Her legs were so sore and would swell up quickly so it made walking difficult.  She's promised to never get a sunburn like that again ~ no fun at all!

The peeling has begun...turning amphibian 

Wonderful cookies we found...but they are a product of Canada that we have never seen here!

Found these in a Dollar Store...very yummy ... and...

... The sweet potato fries had a Bible verse!

Leaving the townhouse in Oak Water

Girls liked this sign.  The bubbles were all in the wrong places and very funny.

One of the many Pro Life and Pro Fatherhood signs we saw

Billboards for car accidents, etc were fun to find

Such yummy jerky!

Rolling hills with trees and palms
Some cattle, a few horses.  The countryside looks more like what we are used to... just more GREEN!
Western shops ~ again, maybe next time we can stop for Kate's sake.
Retirement communities
Florida Citrus Centres  Lots of signs and then gators
Pretty pink flowers

Palms are getting smaller in Georgia

Rest stop picnics are the best when you have a balloon friend.

Some of us "just need 10 minutes"

Saw 2 roll overs on the #75
Saw some orange groves and a vineyard

Pecans everywhere

Pecans and Peanuts and Peaches in GA everywhere.
Pecans $8.63

We've noticed a few things ~ there are not many vehicles marked as a private business.  In Manitoba, if you see a truck, it will usually have a business name on it.  There are older vehicles driving around here though too.  Many with dents.

Georgia seemed to have lots of billboards (way over the treetops!) advertising for "Spa's" and other adult type things.

We're starting to get used to the 8 lane traffic going 1 way!  yikes!

We watched a beautiful sunset near Atlanta, Georgia.  Tennessee is lush and hilly from what we can tell in the dark.  The road is very windy, with a speed limit of 55.

A real disappointment was that we drove through Tennessee Smokey Mountains when it was dark.  Maybe next time we'll plan this journey differently.

Sunco Fuel $66.01 18.866 G @ $3.499
Stopped and bought a $3 watermelon (gave him a loonie tip)
Bought Yum Yum Gator Jerky, Honey, GA peaches $21
Toll $1.25
Pecans $8.63
Fuel at Cordele, GA $82.01 23.306 g @ 3.519
Hess, Monteagle, TN fuel 21.77 @$3.999 $74
Rodeway Inns & Suites.  Clarksville, TN 2 double beds. Room could use a good vacuum. $70.65 with taxes.  Found this on Trip Advisor. They had a good variety for a continental breakfast.

Last evening spent at Magic Kingdom

Saturday, May 17th
Everyone slept until 11:30 am after a rough night with the worst sunburn ever.  Good thing the townhouse had extra pillows, as Jolene had 4 of them underneath her to elevate her swollen legs.  Gregg and Mei went to a Walgreens and bought more Aloe Vera and pain medications.

 The girls and Gregg decided they were well enough to enjoy one last evening at Magic Kingdom.  Jolene stayed back and looked after booking a motel for the next night in Clarksville TN.

The ferry was the only transport into the resort again this evening.

Steve & Bertha visit Dumbo

More Space Mountain Fun

Toy Story Buzz Lightyear

Tea Cups!

They wouldn't let Mei spin the teacups, but maybe next time!
 Ruth thought the teacups were "so pukey".

You're never too old for some honey with Winnie the Pooh

Steve & Bertha agree!

They were all in the line for the carousel but then changed their minds when just watching it made them feel urpy.  Mei did go on it, but they said that with each spin she was getting more green!

Mei enjoying the Carousel 

Enjoying their last Disney Ice Cream bars by a garbage can again

Kate got her popcorn, so she's happy

Gaston's Tavern serves a great Pork Hock or Turkey leg

Fireworks again...never boring.

Steve & Bertha meet Brer Rabbit on Splash Mountain

Some people don't like getting wet, so they wear raincoats...silly people!

Ruth found an adorable Thumper teddy

"I bought the cutest...most adorable...thumper teddy!  Every time I went on Splash Mountain, I would pick him up and say 'oh he's cute but he's $21.25', but this time I bought him!"

They got to enjoy Mickey Philharmagic and in 4D .  Donald chases Mickey's Hat around and there's a bunch of music going on.  Jolene had been in line for this once earlier and then left to meet up with the rest, so next time we'll all have to go.

There was also something called "Stitches Great Escape" and they all agreed that it was horrible.  Part of this was because of the sunburned back and shoulders, the other part was that they kept thinking something was going to happen and it never did.  It was basically him trying to bounce away and your shoulder straps would press down on you...not fun with a burn.

Ruth meeting her fears straight on

When they were at the kiosk buying their chocolate treats, the employee asked for their autographs!  Guess it was a guest book to sign where you were from.. CANADA eh?  For some reason, we did get pegged as Canadians.  For 2 things ~ our accent and our politeness.

Thumper seeing his own statue

They all got to explore the Beauty and the Beast area more this time.  Crowds were smaller and they went into Gaston's Tavern and then into the Interactive Belle play that we couldn't get into the other night.

This mirror/door was amazing ~ it stretched and opened up and you'd walk through it into Belle's world.

Approximately 20 some people go in at a time and they have you all participate in the act.  Gregg was a knight and Ruth was a wardrobe.

Ruth as a wardrobe

Mei had her photo taken with Belle, but they forgot to swipe the Photo Pass.

Gregg bought Jolene a Disney theme beach towel as a present...and it has been put to good use already.  It was sad to be leaving our little holiday, but we're starting to get excited about the drive home and seeing "home" again.

This time Jolene has called ahead and booked a motel in Tennessee so we'll see how that worked out in the next blog post!
Wal Greens Medications $67
Disney Towel $23.38
Dole Whip $8.08
Pork Shank $10.43
Parking $17
Popcorn $3.50
Mickey Ice Cream Bars $12
Total $64.39