Nala and pride "Here we go again!" Final thoughts and COMPLETE! Updated 7/30 About This Page:

[Annabel]

Awesome update, those pictures of Kiara with the characters are truly lovely [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I must try the character meal at 'Ohana [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] More please!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great family picture Nala [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Breakfast sounded great [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[PrincessSharon]

Terrific update! What a wonderful breakfast you had at 'Ohana. I'm cracking up over your "Disney moment" [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Looking forward to hearing about your fishing excursion!

[MAria R]

Can't wait to hear about your next "Disney moment"!

[lauren-roxy]

Wonderful update Nala and I love the pictures, Kiara seemed to have such a great time!!! Can't wait to hear about fishing!!

[Nala]

We left ‘Ohana with plenty of time to spare and headed to the marina. I assumed the boat shack would have been open and we could have check in. When we reached it, I was surprised to find it closed. We then took to wandering around the area and went to check out the pool. Anyone care to guess what words came out of Kiara’s mouth when she saw it? We then headed back to the marina and waited. And waited. And waited. I was getting concerned that something had gone wrong . We were told to be at the dock fifteen minutes prior to our pick up time and it was now five minutes to ten. A few minutes later, we saw a boat racing into the marina and knew it was ours. Sure enough, our guide, Kevin, pulled up and explained there had been some confusion about where we were at. Seems they had us down for a pick up at the Poly, knew we were staying at the WL (where they also do the fishing excursions from) but our reservation was booked for a DTD location. Oh, well, it all worked out in the end. We boarded the boat, put a life jacket on Kiara and were off to our first spot.

Kevin took us to the shore area of the Transportation and Ticket center and got us all set up. And the fun began. Kevin asked Grumpy what he wanted to fish with, live bait or lure and this turned into a conversation about all kinds of different types of lures. Kevin quickly realized that Grumpy knew what he was doing and left him in the back of the boat and focused his attention on Kiara and I. Kevin made the mistake of setting us up with a pole that had a small live fish on the hook that he pulled out of the live well. Kiara was instantly fascinated with the little fish and I spent the entire excursion trying to keep her hands out of the live well as she wanted to play with the little fishys.

I was handed the pole and realized I was a bit in over my head. Now, growing up as a child, I spent many a lazy summer day fishing with my grandfather. I could cast a reel, and do it okay, as long as it was a closed reel. But what I had in my hand was one of those open reel things that required a bit more coordination and fine motor skills. I had only used this type a few times and it didn’t take Kevin long to figure out I was an accident waiting to happen. He did everything he could to help me and his attention was making me a bit nervous. I so wanted him to go to the back of the boat with Grumpy and just let me make a fool of myself with only Kiara there to see it. I finally got the hang of it well enough not to be a threat to myself or Kiara and Kevin felt it was safe to leave us and join Grumpy.

At least one of us knew what they were doing!

We moved all around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon and the best part for me was the view of the resorts. Kiara was having fun reeling the line in, but between the two of us we had no success catching anything.


As we fished, we chatted with Kevin and discovered he had played minor league baseball for the Springfield, IL team and had been to Peoria many times for games. It’s a small world, after all.

We made our way over to the shores between FW and the Contemporary and it was here I had yet another “Disney Moment”. We were moving to another spot, so I took a seat at the front of the boat. I was looking at my reel and thought I had not flipped the lever that secured the line. So I flipped it. problem was, I had secured the line and flipping it again caused it to release and go flying under the boat that was moving really fast. There was my line, spinning out of control and there I was yelling a few “OH SHUCKS!” (only that is not quite what I said) Kevin stopped the boat and came running to my rescue. He was able to get my line back and I was about to die of embarrassment. Kevin assured me it was no big deal, but after that incident I would be willing to bet he was counting the minutes until he could get this goofy woman off his boat.

We stopped at another spot, I cast the line in the water and turned the pole over to Kiara to reel it in. I didn’t even realize what was going on, but Kevin did and came running with the net. Kiara had landed her first bass! And Daddy was so proud. I don’t know who was more excited about her catch, Grumpy, Kevin or Kiara. Before I got with Grumpy, I had never heard of the tradition among fishermen of kissing the fish you caught. But Kevin knew of it and he and Grumpy both asked Kiara if she wanted to kiss her bass. The look on her face told me she was considering it but then declined. That’s my girl!


We moved again and this time, Kevin let Kiara drive the boat. She loved doing this and I have to say he was really wonderful with her.


We stopped along the shores of the old Discovery Island and it was here I landed my first (and only) catch. Kevin knew the answer he would get, but asked the question anyway. “You want to kiss your bass?” “ummm…. NO!” Back in the water the little bass went without a kiss from this girly girl. I then told Kevin I kissed enough frogs in my life until I found my prince and I wasn’t about to start kissing fish!

We had arranged for Kevin to drop us off at the WL instead of taking us back to the Poly so we spent the remainder of our time fishing the shores there. By the excursions end, we had landed a total of twelve bass. One each for Kiara and I, four for Kevin and six for Grumpy. While this was something that really wasn’t my cup of tea, I must admit it was pretty fun. Grumpy was in his element and enjoyed it so much and I loved seeing him have such a great time. And along the way, Grumpy asked Kevin how he got a job as a guide and was taking mental notes for future employment. Now that is a job I don’t think Grumpy would ever want to leave.

Kevin dropped us off at the dock, we thanked him for such a good trip and headed back to our room to rest a bit before heading out for the third part of our magical day. Evening EMHs at AK!

[DawnDenise]

What a wonderful morning Nala!!! Kiara's smile is contagious!!! Glad you didn't have to get in the fountain. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Great family picture!

Looking forward to more!!

[Jillybean]

Yeah for Kiara! Catching her first bass - - you go, little girl! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] I am so, so proud of her! And you too, Nala!

Sounds like a great time - - and it didn't hurt that Kevin appears to be pretty easy on the eyes. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Not that we married women notice things like that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shameonyou.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Jill

[lauren-roxy]

Another wonderful update Nala!!! Grumpy seems to be really enjoying himself. I would never kiss my fish either!!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you all caught some fish [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] I wouldn't have kissed it either [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] Great pictures [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Nala]

[ QUOTE ]
and it didn't hurt that Kevin appears to be pretty easy on the eyes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gosh, I can't say as if I even noticed that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img] And if you believe that one........ [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]

Actually, one of the first things I noticed when he pulled up at the marina was that Mommy had a nice piece of eye candy for the excursion. Hey, I just because I am very happily married doesn't mean I am dead. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Or as I like to say "You may be on a diet, but that doesn't mean you can't LOOK at the menu."

[pparm]

Sounds like the fishing excursion is a great time. I know my DS would enjoy it! Maybe I'll look into it more!

Paula

[DrDolphin]

Sounds like you had a wonderful morning during your fishing expedition!!!

[Minnie Lor]

Oh cool! Two updates to read. The day fishing sounded refreshing. In fact the whole day so far sounds perfect. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] on catching the fish and sticking to your guns by not kissing a fish. Yuck! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/noway.gif[/img]

[Mickeysgal]

Just getting caught up on your great trip report Nala! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] You always seem to have such 'magical' trips. Can't wait to hear how the rest of your day goes.