Disney World had not been on our radar. Our journey around the country was more about US History, State and National parks and just being in nature. When grandparents decided to give our family a day at Disney World for Christmas our mantra was challenged. Of course the grandparents won and we had the best day ever. Or as our eight year old best put it, “You know, Disney World isn’t just for fun, its about making memories that last forever”.
Fort Wilderness campground offers a first class camping experience. The sites are private. and well spaced. They have a massive pool with a water slide and show Disney movies around a campfire complete with smores and hot chocolate. It’s easy to see why people make this a destination.
We settled in our campsite in the high rent district and hit the pool.
Evidently we had arrived at the high rent district as all the surrounding coaches were… uh, high end.
The campground was full of wild life and I’m not referring to just our kids.
The next morning promised a full day in the park and we couldn’t wait.
Transportation to the Magic Kingdom from the campground via boat. Under the threat of rain, it held off and the weather was perfect.
We made it.
The Haunted House looking so inviting.
Pushing thirteen hours of the happiest place on earth we stopped in the middle of the parade route to get one last shot.
As parents Disney World is kind of like Las Vegas, twenty four hours fulfills us for a very log time. The kids on the other hand would actually like to live there.
Zig zagging across Florida we were on our way to see an old friend from California but not before a a few stops along the way. Cocoa Beach and nearby Cape Canaveral were on the itinerary. Cocoa Beach to hopefully catch some surf and see where the greatest competitive surfer of all time, Kelly Slater grew up and Cape Canaveral to view the Space X Falcon 9 rocket launch.
The drive towards Cape Canaveral was plagued with high winds making it one of the most challenging travel days to date. There were several accidents including a car that had driven off the side of the road into a swamp. Uh, no thanks since we know what lives in there.
Arriving at our campground we once again scored the last available spot.
After school work we headed into Cocoa Beach, Hometown of surf Champion Kelly Slater.
Even though the conditions were near perfect there was not enough swell to get me excited enough to paddle out.
We headed to Cape Canaveral to witness the rocket launch. With a little internet research we found the optimal viewing spot at the harbor entrance where all of the cruise ships go by. We got there early and staked our claim at the end of the fishing pier.
We came across local wildlife on the way to our viewing spot.
Despite our best efforts in getting there to watch the launch of the Space X Falcon 9 rocket the launch was scrubbed with forty seconds until lift off. We were stoked we put ourselves in the position to see it, but disappointed it didn’t launch. When news of the scrubbed launch got out the crowds dispersed quickly.
Next morning we headed south to Fort Pierce to see an old friend from California. Fort Pierce is located on Florida’s east coast and is known as the Sunrise City, sister city to San Francisco, the Sunset City. She and her son had moved here several years ago and we had lost touch for a while. We were so glad to reconnect and spend a wonderfully long weekend together. Fort Pierce would not have been on our itinerary otherwise and we were so thankful we visited this part of Florida.
Our gracious host spoiled us rotten. We definitely could get used to this spot in the world.
The neighborhood is chalked full of unique homes all of which have a matching boat.
I may have found fisherman’s heaven. The backyard offers over eight species of deliciously edible fish. If that’s not enough, the Atlantic ocean is a twelve minute boat ride away. Nearby friends opened their home for cocktail hour on our way to dinner.
Our dinner crew grew with each stop.
Biking to dinner is always the best. Doing it with great company is even better.
So lucky to have been able to reunite with our old friends and spend so much quality time together. We said our goodbyes late that night and headed out early the next morning for a nearly five hundred fifty mile drive to our final Florida destination. Farewell Atlantic coast.
windryder5 