The ABCs of Starting Over- OR to KY Roadtrip + WDW 50th Ann. Trip 9/28-10/4; Day 6 and REPORT COMPLETE!

[Steppesister]

I'm here!

Welcome, Vanessa!!! I KNEW you'd be here!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I’m excited for you and happy to follow along on your road trip

I’m at the point in my life that the warmer the state the better and I need water close by.

I would love a place on one of the islands or waterways in Florida!

 

[Paulaparm]

How exciting! Looking forward to following your adventure
If I could, we would pack up the truck and the 5th wheel tomorrow and head to Alaska to explore for a month or so

 

[Steppesister]

I’m excited for you and happy to follow along on your road trip

YAY!!! Caroline!! It's so great to see you here and have you along for the trip!

I’m at the point in my life that the warmer the state the better and I need water close by.

That's me too and while Kentucky doesn't have a lot, there is a river that sure looks fun to kayak on. Tucson...?? Well, hmm...

I would love a place on one of the islands or waterways in Florida!

Oh man!! Meeee too!! I adore the Florida islands so much.

 

[Steppesister]

How exciting! Looking forward to following your adventure
If I could, we would pack up the truck and the 5th wheel tomorrow and head to Alaska to explore for a month or so

Well, hello there and back!! It's wonderful to see you here and have you following along!

 

[pkondz]

Well, okay, fair point. I did learn a lot of the culture THROUGH learning the language and that is sure worth something!

Awww, does PK need a busy board?

I had to google what that was.

And... yes.

Made on a fried bread with the toppings (YMMV) you see. Sooo incredibly delicious!!

Whoa! That looks amazing!

Want.

 

[pkondz]

That's me too and while Kentucky doesn't have a lot, there is a river that sure looks fun to kayak on. Tucson...?? Well, hmm...

 

[cajunfan]

Safe travels! And I am looking forward to your adventures!

And let me know when you are in Nashville. I don't go into the downtown area much anymore but I live right around the corner from Opryland.

And we have actually met in real life once...you were with "Maroo" (Mary) when she brought Lauren to Nashville and you all came into The Disney Store where I was working to say hello...very long time ago...before we closed the store on that side of the mall so it was before 2/2010. At least I think that was you, lol.

Lynn

 

[vamassey1]

I'm excited to follow along with your adventures. I do admire you for making such a big change. I understand wanting to be closer to your family too. Your kids are all adults living their own lives. Are still passing near Louisiana? The plans we had for September have been cancelled so I'm available if you pass by.

 

[Steppesister]

A is for: All Good Trips Begin with a Good Cast​

A good story always begins with an introduction, and all good introductions include the characters. This story happens to be filled with only protagonists. Well, that is the plan as we begin our journey. However, depending on the selected playlist of my 24-year old son traveling with me, that could change rather quickly. He may be a character quickly written out of the script. Might also depend on the snacks he brings for us.

Who is this 24-year old son I speak of? Let me introduce Zach, an all-around good “kid” who loves his job at Home Depot.

(Here he is dressed for MNHSSP as Alistair in Wonderland.)​

He is a hard worker, loyal beyond all reason, and genuinely polite. Unless he’s interacting with his 19-year old sister. As with all siblings, they have a love-hate relationship, but if push came to shove, he’d defend her beyond all reason. He loves to play video games (what kid doesn’t these days?), play board games when I bribe him with dinner, and cook. Yep, you read that right, I have a boy that likes to experiment with seasonings and different flavor combinations and his favorite cookbook is one I got him last Christmas that is Skyrim-themed (one of his video games).

Zach(ary) decided to make the move with me a few months ago but was reluctant at first. To leave the home he’s known most of his life takes a lot of courage. Added to the fact, he’ll also be leaving his 3 sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his dad and step-mom. I really admire him for taking the chance on starting a new chapter in his life and taking the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with another set of grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is resilient and excited about the new challenges of finding a new job, setting up his own apartment with a yet-to-be-found roommate(s), and becoming more independent.

Greg and Marcia are the most faithful, generous, fun-loving friends a girl could ever have. They have stuck by me through thick and thin. Life can be hard, and that’s when you find out who your real friends are. When you are at your worst and can be unlovable, that’s when you discover who is worth keeping close. We’d traveled together for years and most recently Marcia joined me last year for a trip to Disney and to see my 5th-wheel in Tucson. You can read all about that trip HERE. There's also a link in my siggie. Despite some normal travel partner challenges, we generally really love our trips together. They love good food, seeing new places, gardening, spending time with their 2 adult kids, fishing, target shooting/hunting, and friends. Greg makes a wicked delicious salsa with their homegrown tomatoes and Marcia’s favorite new cocktail is a Pisco Sour thanks to moi!

​

I am just lil ol me. You read about me in the last chapter or have known me for a long time. I like Pisco Sours and everything else that you already know. Oh, and Greg’s peach cobbler. Which I’m eating right now for the 2nd time this week. My butt loves it too.

Our hope is to meet several DISsers along the way. Tammie(@MAGICFOR2), Vanessa (@vamassey1), and Lynn (@cajunfan) have all offered to meet up and frankly… I CAN’T WAIT!! If you are along I-395 in California, I-40 through Texas, are in Tucson, Northern Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennesse, or Kentucky, PM me. I’d love to show Greg and Marcia just how wonderful DISsers can be, although Marcia got to meet Karilynn (malia78) already and briefly met Caroline (DisneyAndi14) already.

And those are the illustrious characters on this Epic Roadtripalooza. There will be whole set of other friends I’m joining for the Disney portion and will introduce those fine folks in a later chapter. Trust me, they are very, very fine. But before I get to that, them, and those, there’s a lot more to say in setting the stage for the cross-country portion. I apologize if this a rambling, meandering way of spinning this tale; writing after work or at 4 AM is never in my best interest. Or yours, I suppose. But trudge on I must. 26 days left. 6 more day shifts. 1 night shift. About 8 boxes of crap left to pack, and a few more than that to dump at the Goodwill.

Until next time, Adventure On, Friends!

 

[Steppesister]

I had to google what that was.

And... yes.

Declan has a couple that he sure enjoys.

Whoa! That looks amazing!

Want.

They are soooo goooood!

Hey, that looks pretty fun!

 

[Steppesister]

Safe travels! And I am looking forward to your adventures!

And let me know when you are in Nashville. I don't go into the downtown area much anymore but I live right around the corner from Opryland.

And we have actually met in real life once...you were with "Maroo" (Mary) when she brought Lauren to Nashville and you all came into The Disney Store where I was working to say hello...very long time ago...before we closed the store on that side of the mall so it was before 2/2010. At least I think that was you, lol.

Lynn

I do remember that and didn't realize/remember your screen name!! That was such a quick (too quick!) Meet up involving a lot of people I didn't know very well. We need a re-do!!! I have to drive literally right by Opryland on my route, so we'll definitely make this happen. Not sure the date yet, but somewhere around Sept. 23rd? And yes, it was right about Sept/Oct 2010.

 

[Steppesister]

I'm excited to follow along with your adventures. I do admire you for making such a big change. I understand wanting to be closer to your family too. Your kids are all adults living their own lives. Are still passing near Louisiana? The plans we had for September have been cancelled so I'm available if you pass by.

That's so AWESOME, Vanessa!! I will PM you to solidify details soon. I THINK we'll be in your state on or near Sept 17th-19th-ish? or so? Not totally sure yet. But as we know more and toodle along, we'll for sure keep you updated.

Yep, my girls are almost all out on their own with families and such, so moving on now seems like it's a good time.

 

[pkondz]

However, depending on the selected playlist of my 24-year old son traveling with me, that could change rather quickly. He may be a character quickly written out of the script.

Might also depend on the snacks he brings for us.

Snaaaaack!

Who is this 24-year old son I speak of? Let me introduce Zach, an all-around good “kid” who loves his job at Home Depot.

He is a hard worker, loyal beyond all reason, and genuinely polite.

My goodness. That seems to be such a rarity these days.

Unless he’s interacting with his 19-year old sister. As with all siblings, they have a love-hate relationship, but if push came to shove, he’d defend her beyond all reason.

Ah, yes. Familiar with that family model.

Yep, you read that right, I have a boy that likes to experiment with seasonings and different flavor combinations

Good for him! That will serve him well.

To leave the home he’s known most of his life takes a lot of courage.

Very much so. Good for him.

I really admire him for taking the chance on starting a new chapter in his life

Greg and Marcia are the most faithful, generous, fun-loving friends a girl could ever have. They have stuck by me through thick and thin. Life can be hard, and that’s when you find out who your real friends are.

Wonderful you have friends like that who step up for you.

You can read all about that trip HERE.

Where?!

JK. You forgot to embed the link.

Greg makes a wicked delicious salsa with their homegrown tomatoes

mmm...

and Marcia’s favorite new cocktail is a Pisco Sour thanks to moi!

She's been subverted!

Oh, and Greg’s peach cobbler. Which I’m eating right now for the 2nd time this week. My butt loves it too.

That sounds soooooo good!
(Um... the cobbler. Not your butt.)


(Well, okay. Your butt too. )

Our hope is to meet several DISsers along the way. Tammie(@MAGICFOR2), Vanessa (@vamassey1), and Lynn (@cajunfan) have all offered to meet up and frankly… I CAN’T WAIT!!

Nice! That sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[pkondz]

They are soooo goooood!

I need to hit some southern States.

Maybe when the border opens in 3-10 years.

Hey, that looks pretty fun!

You're welcome. I want to see photos.

 

[vamassey1]

That's so AWESOME, Vanessa!! I will PM you to solidify details soon. I THINK we'll be in your state on or near Sept 17th-19th-ish? or so? Not totally sure yet. But as we know more and toodle along, we'll for sure keep you updated.

I'm looking forward to this!

Great intros. I'm impressed with Zach making the move too. I hope he comes to love it.

I'm very curious to see your route for this trip too since it will be taking you all over.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This story happens to be filled with only protagonists.

No bad guys? Where are the exploding helicopters going to come from?

Zach(ary) decided to make the move with me a few months ago but was reluctant at first. To leave the home he’s known most of his life takes a lot of courage. Added to the fact, he’ll also be leaving his 3 sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his dad and step-mom. I really admire him for taking the chance on starting a new chapter in his life and taking the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with another set of grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is resilient and excited about the new challenges of finding a new job, setting up his own apartment with a yet-to-be-found roommate(s), and becoming more independent.

Good for you, Zach. I hope it proves to be a rewarding adventure.

Oh, and Greg’s peach cobbler.

Wait, what? I think you buried the lede here.

Our hope is to meet several DISsers along the way. Tammie(@MAGICFOR2), Vanessa (@vamassey1), and Lynn (@cajunfan) have all offered to meet up and frankly… I CAN’T WAIT!!

Awesome! This is going to be a fun trip.

 

[pkondz]

No bad guys? Where are the exploding helicopters going to come from?

Drones

 

[Wood Nymph]

The house that you will be living in looks like a wonderful place to live. I can see why you made the decision to move here. We drove through the Bowling Green area during one of our trips to WDW and it was a beautiful area. I can't remember if you went to Bowling Green before you decided to make the move.

My goal is to see more of the USA. We have been lots of places but will be going to the Northeast, specifically Maine, for the first time next month.

 

[Steppesister]

Snaaaaack!

Favorite meme of all time!

My goodness. That seems to be such a rarity these days.

I really is. He's a pretty great kid.

Ah, yes. Familiar with that family model.

Both stressful and endearing all at the same time.

Wonderful you have friends like that who step up for you.

They are so awesome!

Where?!

JK. You forgot to embed the link.

I sure did!!! Fixing now.

She's been subverted!

Oopsies.

That sounds soooooo good!
(Um... the cobbler. Not your butt.)


(Well, okay. Your butt too. )

And it was.

The cobbler and the butt.

I need to hit some southern States.

Maybe when the border opens in 3-10 years.

I really hope it's a whole lot sooner than that, but who knows. I don't trust anything anyone says anymore about timelines. Or much else.

You're welcome. I want to see photos.

There will be some.