[iloverags2]

Why does I-95 look like a huge parking lot? [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

With two teenage girls in tow, you’d think we would have already figured out it’s next to impossible to leave before 9 a.m. But seeing 9:30 on the car clock as we pulled out of the driveway made my eyeballs nearly pop out. The only thing that kept my sanity in check was the fact it was a normal workday, and we would be missing the rush hour traffic. Breezing along on I-95, heading towards St. Augustine, visions of Mickey danced in my head. I couldn’t have been happier if I were eating chocolate. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] Before you could say, “Wilderness Lodge take me away,” my eyes caught sight of something so unusual, I almost fainted dead away. There, parked (yes I mean PARKED) in the middle of I-95 were cycles and trucks and cars (Oh my!). Seriously folks, it looked like we were headed right into the triple feature at the local drive-in. There was no time for even quick thinking as I blurted out, “Get off this highway!” [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Russ, without missing a beat, veered the car over to the exit lane, where I proceeded to direct him towards route 16 where we would eventually catch US-1, while other drivers were frantically searching their maps for alternate routes (poor lost souls).

I peppered the soon-becoming-grouchy girls in the back with doses of chocolate chip cookies, Nestle’s Crunch, and Sno-Caps. (Heck, what’s a “mother” for but to save the day?) The sugar high kept them oblivious to all else for the next few hours, and we finally pulled up to the WL around 12:45 p.m. 1 hour and 15 minutes past my projected time of arrival. Ack! If it weren’t for the sheer beauty of the place, and its serene surroundings, I probably would’ve poked myself in the eye several times. As fate had it, my “home” called me safely in its arms, and we were checking in without a hitch. [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

Prior to arrival, Russ had asked if I knew how to get one of the rooms that overlooks the lobby. Other than telling him to request it, I hadn’t a clue how these were assigned other than luck of the draw. So up to the counter we go and before we could say anything, the wonderful CM informed us there were no standard views left, so we were being upgraded to a courtyard view. “Uh,” says Russ, “is that a room that is here in the lobby area?” [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] Poor CM didn’t know what to do. Here she was giving us the best view possible and Russ is turning it down! Ack! She skedaddles off to consult with the room assigner, who tells her she can upgrade us to one of those rooms, but it would only be a woods view. “We’ll take it!” was Russ’ enthusiastic reply. I could not get a word in edgewise. Turns out that was a blessing in disguise as I am now spoiled by these lobby rooms! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] But more on that later.

It was now well after 1 p.m. and I was mighty hungry. Russ wanted the girls to get the full WL treatment and suggested we eat at Whispering Canyon Café. Better idea…why don’t I make a PS for that evening? Dinner is the real treat there. Managed to get us in for a 7:20 PS that evening, so off we went to Roaring Forks for a quick bite. Since a big dinner loomed ahead of us (along with the first of many snags in blowing our budget [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ), Russ and I opted to split a chicken fingers and fries, while the girls got their standard pepperoni pizzas (sound familiar from our last trip?). Total for all three meals, plus four drinks was around $26. Under our budget already. Woo!

Now that we are actually here and our tummies have been filled comfortably, the big question looms over our heads…what do we do now?

Up Next: Did we miss a hurricane warning?