Typhoon Lagoon at Disney World for Mother's Day!

Sunday, May 11th, Mother's Day
Spent the morning trying to find somewhere to print our new rental agreement for another townhouse.  "Magic Tree" right beside Oak Water let Gregg do everything from their office for free :) We seemed to waste a lot of time calling around looking for an office type store to be able to print off the rental agreement.

The theme of Typhoon Lagoon is that a hurricane left the ship wreck, and everything all topsy turvy. We personally enjoyed Blizzard Beach more, but it was a fun day regardless of what water park we were at.  Again, this is a Fun Pass Option and parking lot is free.

Here is a link to Typhoon Lagoon ... Click HERE   and also one on YouTube Here for basic tour  and this one is even better ~ full view of going down the slides HERE.  

The whole reason I had wanted to go on Mother's Day was to do the snorkeling over the rays, fish, etc.  It was unique and fun for us who have never done it before BUT DO NOT WEAR SUNSCREEN before you put your goggles on.  It stung so badly that we couldn't wait to get out of the water.  The cleanser for the masks must react...horrible. horrible.

Liked the roller coaster "Crush 'n' Gush"  Coconut, banana and Pineapple
Big waves and scratchy ground....wear shoes!
Other rides really seemed to bump you around.  Lazy river was fun again, like always!

It being Mother's Day and all, we took it a little easier and went to Typhoon Lagoon (I think they close at 5 pm or 6 pm) and then dressed up to go out to eat.

No pictures at Typhoon Lagoon, because we decided to not rent a locker and only took what we absolutely needed to.  We felt comfortable bringing our back pack of snacks and towels and Gregg carried our tickets in his zipper up pocket.

The big debate was where to find a Mexican restaurant or just go to a Chinese restaurant.  We had a bunch of coupons, but then had to find which place was closest, etc.

Girls thought we should also do a mini photo shoot, so we did!

12 noon 31C

We opted for a Chinese restaurant with a buffet that was just down the I192 that was our main road to everything it seemed.

Gregg's desert looks like Snoopy doesn't it?

The food was pretty much exactly what we would expect to eat here in Manitoba, Canada.  Nothing new or exciting, but it sat well in our tummies and that was good.

We actually went back to this restaurant the next day because Ruth had forgotten her cute little tin that she keeps her digestive enzymes in.  The waitress had set it aside for us too.

Girls found a bunch of different kinds of  Xtra Deserts Gum "Cinnamon Rolls", "Peach Cobbler", "Mint Chocolate", Sherbet"...they stocked up in order to give some to all their friends.  Nothing like a late night shopping trip and then we're reading for the next few days of Disney fun again!

Publix Groceries and hair clips, $116
I think our meal was under $50

Driving through Chicago at Midnight on a Sunday DAY 2

2nd day Sunday April 27, 2014
Wisconsin is now showing green grass, unlike in Manitoba when we left.   5C.

It was still pouring buckets of rain down on us, so all we wanted was a nice hot breakfast.  We asked some nice elderly folk in the grocery store if they could point us in the direction of a good breakfast nook.  We ended up at Denny's Retro Diner in Hudson Wisconsin.  Sunday morning, it was full!

They didn't have much for selection on teas in the US but they did have HONEY

Busy diner

Waiting for our food at Denny's

Pam, our waitress extraordinaire! 

Oh Pam, we almost drove out of our way on the trip home ~ just to see you again!

 A tip for Pam

 It turned out to be a little cold for the slushies and the slushies themselves were a little runny.  Some buyers remorse going on ...

 Noticing that prices on chips were not that different.  Everywhere we went they were around $3 for a bag.

All the Barbie, Life in the Dreamhouse characters!!! EEEEEEE

Gregg couldn't get over how they sell guns in Wal Mart

Kate and Uncle Gordon ... opps, I mean Uncle Si

Jo and Midge

Driving through all the wind and rain was exhausting

Poor Gregg ~ so much wind!  Lots of tornado's to the South East of us

Paying tolls is not necessarily new to us, but we were getting it down pat!

Tolls were around $10 to get into Indiana on the I 94

Guacamole... in a tub, but in a bag inside.  Yup, kinda gross.

Travel stops with pinball machines made for a happy time!

A pumpkin Cheesecake cookie.  Only found in the US, but Made In Canada!  HA!

Travel stops were just the best!  We noticed later just how many of our memories and photos were taken in them.  Traveling with children would be easy.  We often got hot water and made our own tea as well.

There are also Fireworks stores everywhere and they are huge buildings with huge signs.

Gas stations have names like "Freedom" and "Tesero" and "Loves" and "BP" and "Holiday"

We are noticing Pro Life and Pro Fatherhood billboards a lot.  Something you don't see too much around Manitoba.

Chicago radio station report ~ "We have a report of a couch in the center lane.."

No pictures turned out of our drive through Chicago around midnight on a Sunday night.  It was stunning in it's own way.  Old buildings, run down areas and then sky scrapers and modern architecture.  I made sure Gregg was watching the road !  ha ha.

Chicago Skyway toll $4.

The temperature rose dramatically after Chicago from around 5 C to 15C. by 8:30 pm. We stayed at the Comfort Inn in Portage IA for $78 with a CAA discount.  We are traveling with a thermarest mattress for Mei to sleep on the floor.

They served a hot breakfast (continental style) but nothing really for Gluten Free.
 We're in biscuit and gravy areas now!

The quilts were so comfy!

The rain stopped just long enough for us to unpack into the motel and then it rained all night as well.

Steve and Bertha being interviewed by Oprah on their traveling tips

2nd day Sunday April 27
Family Fresh Groceries $84.14
Denny's Retro Diner $38.38
Tomah, WI Kwik Trip 20 L $75
Wal Mart groceries and trailer lock $19.48
I 94 Tolls to Chicago, $6.40
OH 6 Ohio Turnpike partial toll
Wisconsin is now green 5C raining
Skyway Chicago into Indiana $4.
Indiana tolls I 90 $1.80
Temperature rose dramatically up to 15C at 8:30 pm