It was a perfect convergence of Teacher shopping days, the state teachers convention and my fall break so that the 3 of us could all travel to Philadelphia airport and Suzanne
Ben
and I could make our way
to Tampa airport
where we rode the tram
to the other side and eventually to Dick and Fran's house where dinner was served
to Dick's amusement (or was he telling us about the fish he caught?)
as Suzanne
and Ben prepared to eat
and Fran continued with the service
while I did self portraits head on
profile view
and this miss
before fruit
and brownies were served for dessert.
The next morning, we admired the many views from the porches
with shades being drawn
for this magnificent view
before we got into the car
and drove to this parking place
so that we could see Epcot in the distance
and make our way there in the tram
guided by men on Segways
until we reached our destination
and saw the big ball
the fountain
and daisy duck, though I missed the photo op of appearing with her
and zeroed in on the features of the geodesic dome (aka subdivision surface)
before heading to the first ride where we were featured on the globe
and then seeing the universe of energy
as we traipsed around the park
and reached this wall at a waiting line
and then emerged to map reading
which ultimately led us to lunch
at which we discussed Mackenzie's shiner as reported on facebook
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and followed the rules of the ride
after which Dick and I posed at the next ride
and I took this group picture at the virtual reality ride
before a friendly fellow line waiter took this group picture for us.
After visiting the planets
we made our way
past the lit fountain
to the Moroccan restaurant
where Ben and Suzanne
Dick and Fran
and I
began with drinks
and appetizers
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and then having our main courses
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and we tried his fez on Fran
Dick
Suzanne
and Ben
before heading out
to enjoy the fireworks over the lake.
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we headed to the gift shop where Ben and I alternated photo ops with the goods for sale.
The next day we made our way to the main event of our visit but on the way we noted this car decal which described what I would be missing by missing the poker game.
The main event was, of course, a visit to Cracker Barrel
where we made our way in
and admired the rocking chairs
before progressing through the gift shop
and settling with menus
which kept Ben and Dick busy
as we studied even further menus
and the drinks including Stewart's Root Beer
and tomato juice arrived
with even further options presented
as Fran and Suzanne posed
and so did I
but Ben was consumed by this vicious game of solitaire
as we noted their 40th anniversary
and coffee was served
along with the main courses
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After getting this collection sign in the men's room
we were ready for an excursion to Clearwater Beach
where we were prepared to follow the rules
as Suzanne made her way
and Ben, Suzanne and Fran settled in
before the first walk ended and Dick and Fran posed for the beach scene together
and separately
and Fran and Suzanne went for a walk and returned
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before Fran posed
and then Ben and Fran posed
and then Dick and Fran posed before we began the trek back to Tampa.
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and then went to observe the sunset
complete with refreshments
although what emerged was a less than ideal sunset.
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en route to a group shoe picture
and then a few pictures of the whole group
before we headed off to the Columbia Restaurant where we were greeted by Cesar Gonzmart and his fiddle
before we could be seated for some sangria
and a toast by Fran
though Dick
Suzanne
Ben
and I seemed to not be toasting
until I recovered and toasted
and marked the service
and bread
as salad arrived
followed by main courses.
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After a few more photos outside, on the route where TR and his Rough Riders passed to Cuba, we called it a night.
Next morning we reversed direction and took the tram back to our gate and Suzanne
Ben
and I started to prepare for re-entry.
