Florida

For the past 5 years, I have been going to Orlando Florida in November for Super Soap Weekend. Last year (2008) ABC canceled SSW. It's very sad for me. Not because I love watching Soap Stars walk around MGM Studios - but because Disney is such an easy vacation for me. Disney makes it easy with the transportation to/from the airport and to/from the parks. It's great. Not to mention - it's Disney .... who doesn't love Disney, right?

Last year my girlfriend, Nikki, and I met there together and went to Discovery Cove. Which was phenonminal! So b/c David and I do separate vacations because we don't have anyone to take care of the boys so we can do something together - I decided I would go back to Disney and go to Discovery Cove. Yes..... it was THAT cool!

I went November 5 - 8, a short trip. Main focus - Discovery Cove. This year was a little different for me. The four years prior my girlfriend, Nikki, and I had met in FL for SSW. But this year - she's on her way to being engaged and traveling across country every month to be with her guy, Sam (whom I love for her). So I was flying solo. And the second change - it would be a shorter trip and I wouldn't go to Disney's Parks. Just hang out in downtown Disney, go to Discovery Cove and mill around the hotel and relax.

For some reason - I only took photos at Discovery Cove. Here are some of me in the Aviary with all the birds. They are so use to people that as soon as you get one of the white cups of food in your hand - birds come and sit on you ... anywhere they can. They were freaking me out a bit - but I managed to feed a few.

We were able to go behind the scenes and watch them try and train baby sharks to hand feed. It was pretty crazy to watch. One of the trainers was finally able to get the shark to come up in his lap to feed. He was really pleased with himself. I would of been running for the exit.

I met this really cool girl, Lexi, from London. We had a great day hanging out and exploring the park. Here we are in the coral reef swimming around and playing with the birds.

One of the things I was really excited about was using my underwater case for my Canon G9. Lexi snapped this photo of me. I went down a little to far, b/c when I went under I got a mouth and nose full of salt water. I am not exactly expert at the snorkel thing. But it looks cool, huh? Nice stingray next to me : )

Here I am getting a little dolphin love : )

Towards the end of the day, on our last swim through the coral reef .... I ran into some rocks. Yes - rocks! The coral reef goes deep to shallow pretty quick and I was talking, not paying attention and ran into some pretty big rocks. And ... well, here's the result ....

I banged up my toe pretty bad. It was so painful. And of course, I did this on my 2nd day there - so it was a little difficult to walk around with a fat, bruised toe.

I had a great time - so glad I got to experience Discovery Cove (and meet a new friend) and so very thankful for my sweet husband for taking care of the kids so I could go. However - I do believe, this was my last trip to Disney. Well ..... until we take the kids or ABC brings back SSW.